My experience of the players’ biosecure environment made me appreciate how hard it is for Joe Root’s team
England’s performance in the first Test was up there with one of their greatest wins overseas. To dominate India in their own backyard, a team who had lost just one of their last 35 home Tests prior to this one, is something special. The senior players in Joe Root and James Anderson led from the front, delivering near-perfect performances. Winning the toss and putting first-innings runs on the board was vital, something England have struggled with in the past, but they have now found stability in the top order and there was another dogged performance from Dom Sibley, who answered questions about his ability to play spin in Asia, alongside the batting masterclass from the captain.
While the batters set things up in the first innings, it was the enduring class of Jimmy Anderson in the second that sealed the deal, bowling not only one of the greatest overs Test cricket has seen, but also demonstrating age isn’t a barrier to his craft, reverse swinging the ball to pick up the two wickets that broke the middle order. Anderson deservedly owns the title of GOAT.
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