Ashes 2023

Watch: James Anderson smashes back-away pull shot off Pat Cummins for four, Cummins puts fielder on fence one ball later

by Wisden Staff July 21, 2023 - 3:11pm 2 minute read

Watch: An uncharacteristically flamboyant strike from James Anderson off Pat Cummins played a small part in a roaring tenth-wicket stand worth 66 runs with Jonny Bairstow, putting England in complete command against Australia in the Old Trafford Ashes Test.

For the most part of his stay, Anderson hung around to allow Bairstow to let himself loose, as England gathered runs at astonishing pace to take their lead well over 200. When the ninth wicket fell, Bairstow was 49 off 50, and proceeded to cart 50 runs off the next 31.

Anderson played 16 out of his 18 balls for dots, but when Cummins challenged him with a short one, he was equal to the task. Pre-empting the bouncer, Anderson made room and swatted the ball with all his might to the deep mid-wicket rope, bringing up a rare boundary.

Cummins went on the defensive right away, putting a fielder in the deep for protection just before the next ball. Another bouncer followed, but Anderson had nothing to do with that one.

Bairstow went on a rampage thereafter – including two sixes off the same Cummins over – racing to 99 not out. However, he couldn’t get to his ton, as Cam Green accounted for Anderson in the 108th over. England ended with a lead of 275.