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Anderson proves worth as premier paceman

Veteran tries every trick in the book of a benign wicket as he leads from the front for the tourists

James Anderson lived up to his billing as the world’s No.1-ranked Test bowler as England threatened to overrun Australia on day two of this absorbing first Magellan Ashes Test.

Steve Smith’s watchful half-century during an unbroken 89-run stand with Shaun Marsh has put this contest back in the balance.

Yet Anderson's first contributions of this series suggest that, even at the age of 35, he looks like he will have a major say in the destination of the urn.

England’s all-time leading bowler took his number of Test victims to 507 when he trapped Peter Handscomb lbw on review in the first over after tea to leave Smith’s team in deep trouble. 

The dismissal was another illustration of Anderson’s skill as he outfoxed Australia’s No.5 with a ball that was 6kph slower than his previous delivery

With the Kookaburra ball used in Australia offering far less swing than the English Dukes and a slow Gabba pitch making things even more challenging, Anderson was forced to mix things up, taking the pace off, bowling cutters and getting the odd ball to swing. 

That’s something Anderson excelled at during England’s last successful Ashes tour in 2010-11, when he took 24 wickets at an average of 26.04.

England bowlers dominate middle session of day two

Now, after a northern summer that saw him take 39 wickets at 14.10 in seven Tests against South Africa and West Indies, he looks in the mood to cause more damage.

Speaking at the close of play, Anderson, admitted: "I have literally bowled every ball I could think off to get something out of the pitch. Each spell is different, you get a feel for what is going to work."

Anderson’s first two spells saw him concede just 17 runs from 10 overs.

So accurate is his line and length that England captain Joe Root was able to trust him enough to pack his field on the leg-side to Smith as England stifled Australia’s captain early on.

Indeed, he rarely bowls a bad ball.

Warner classic catch removes Ball

Although Anderson was unable to break through during his third spell before the close, he was again miserly, conceding just nine runs from five overs and ending the day with an economy rate of 1.73. 

However, he is so key to England’s chances in this series that it’s almost impossible to see Root’s team winning this series without another big effort from the leader of his attack, who sets the tone for every other England bowler.

There was so much hype coming into this series about Australia’s ‘pace cartel’ of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazelwood that is was easy to forget that Anderson started the Gabba Test as the No.1 bowler in the world ahead of South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada and India’s Ravi Jadeja. Hazelwood is ranked sixth.

Jake Ball, who dismissed David Warner as England took control in the middle session of this second day, said: "Yes, he showed why he’s No.1 in the world. Jimmy just does what Jimmy does. 

"He’s been excellent to have in the team for me – talking to him in the nets and just having him out on the field. You really get a feel for his experience and what he’s trying to do when you’re out there and I think today he showed that even on a flat pitch he can make things happen."

As for the state of play in this match after two days, Anderson had the final word, saying: "We would have liked a few more runs but it didn’t go our way on a very un-Gabba-like wicket. I thought we bowled pretty well and could have had more wickets on another day.

"Smith and Marsh have played really well. It will be case of being patient and bowling good balls, I am sure we can get a breakthrough eventually."

2017-18 International Fixtures:

Magellan Ashes Series

First Test Gabba, November 23-27. Buy tickets

Second Test Adelaide Oval, December 2-6 (Day-Night). Buy tickets

Third Test WACA Ground, December 14-18. Buy tickets

Fourth Test MCG, December 26-30. Buy tickets

Fifth Test SCG, January 4-8 (Pink Test). Buy tickets

Gillette ODI Series v England

First ODI MCG, January 14. Buy tickets

Second ODI Gabba, January 19. Buy tickets

Third ODI SCG, January 21. Buy tickets

Fourth ODI Adelaide Oval, January 26. Buy tickets

Fifth ODI Perth TBC, January 28. Join the ACF

Prime Minister's XI

PM's XI v England Manuka Oval, February 2. Buy tickets

Gillette T20 INTL Series

First T20I Australia v NZ, SCG, February 3. Buy tickets

Second T20I – Australia v England, Blundstone Arena, February 7. Buy tickets

Third T20I – Australia v England, MCG, February 10. Buy tickets

Fourth T20I – NZ v England, Wellington, February 13

Fifth T20I – NZ v Australia, Eden Park, February 16

Sixth T20I – NZ v England, Seddon Park, February 18

Final – TBC, Eden Park, February 21