Steven Finn’s five-wicket haul ripped the heart out of the Australian batting order to light up a pulsating second day at Edgbaston and put England on the verge of sealing a 2-1 Ashes lead after three Tests. But amid the celebrations of Finn’s five for 45, which reduced the tourists to 168 for seven in their second innings and sitting only 23 runs ahead going into the third day, there were fears over the continued participation of Jimmy Anderson in this series following a side injury suffered on his 33rd birthday.
While England were keen to play down the seriousness of Anderson’s condition – they described the knock to his left rib area as a “tight side” would be assessed overnight and in the morning – the sight of their attack leader walking off three balls into his ninth over in visible discomfort and covering his face with his jumper does not augur well.
Anderson was taken for a scan at hospital on Thursday night, leaving Finn fearing the worst for a bowler who has taken six five-wicket hauls at Trent Bridge, the venue for next week’s fourth Test.
“For Jimmy to walk off it can’t be too good,” said Finn. “But with some medical healing and rehab, who knows? Jimmy loves Trent Bridge and he’s a huge player for us, he sets the tone with everything he does. The way he bowled in the first innings [taking six for 47] speaks for itself and if he missed out he would be a big loss. But we don’t know yet.”
Despite those concerns, Finn was happy to reflect on his return to Test cricket after a two-year absence – and 18 months after being flown home from the 2013-14 Ashes tour following a breakdown in his action – as his five strikes undermined Australia’s reply to England’s earlier 281 all out which set up a 145-run first-innings lead.
“It’s just nice to contribute towards putting us in a good position in the game,” said Finn. “There have been some personal milestones that were nice to get and to pull a Test shirt back on has been great fun. But we’re still three wickets and some runs from winning this game. It’s by no means done but we’ve had a good day and we can sit in the dressing room with a smile on our face at the moment.”
Asked about his own return to the side, Finn added: “I’m enjoying playing cricket. I used to put myself under a huge amount of pressure when I played. But at the moment, the way this environment is set up, we just want to go out and enjoy with smiles on our faces. There have been some dark times but every cricketer has ups and downs and to come out of the other side is a good feeling.”
Australia’s opener David Warner, who made 77 in Australia’s second innings as the wickets tumbled, backed the wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, unbeaten on 37, to marshal the tail but admitted only a target of 150 runs or more could prevent England winning the third Test.
“We’re still in the game and are always going to be hopeful,” said Warner. “Anything we get from here is a bonus and if I’m being realistic we need 150-plus. We need intent and to get as many runs as we can.”
Warner admitted his side had failed to cope with conditions at Edgbaston and in particular the noise and intensity of the home support. “You look at the football crowds and you hear the songs. Then you play the Ashes and it is the same thing. They will always be behind the English and sometimes it is hard. When you’re out there you feel pressure in yourself. It is helpful for England especially when they have their tail up.”
Asked about the possibility of Anderson missing Trent Bridge, he replied: “It’s going to be a big loss for them. But we’ve seen what Steven Finn can do and we know what Mark Wood is capable of. We have to worry about scoring runs, though – their camp is their camp.”
