Jimmy Anderson praised the intelligence of the under-fire opener Zak Crawley – and raised an amused eyebrow at some unsolicited advice about hat-tricks from Stuart Broad – as England took charge of the second Test against South Africa in Manchester.
Anderson and Broad led the charge with the ball on the first day of this must-win match, claiming three wickets apiece as the tourists were rolled for 151 after winning the toss and choosing to bat under Old Trafford’s humid and heavily clouded skies.
After the rollover at Lord’s in under three days, it was a welcome start. But it was not until Crawley’s unbeaten 17 from 77 balls, combined with 38 not out from a typically boisterous Jonny Bairstow, that England could be sure of finishing the day with the upper hand on 111 for three, only 40 runs behind.
Crawley, England’s most under-pressure batsman, played an innings of uncharacteristic plucky restraint, vital both for his team and his chances of holding on to his Test place. “I thought he did brilliantly for someone whose output hasn’t been as good as he’d have wanted it to be,” Anderson said. “It was very tricky with the new ball, it started reversing early, and the way he played allowed Jonny to play his natural game.