'We got to keep Virat Kohli quiet as often as we can' - James Anderson on restricting the Indian skipper well so far

It seems the battle between James Anderson and Virat Kohli is tilting towards the former as he yet again managed to dismiss the latter for just seven runs in the third Test at Headingley. The veteran seamer said that after what had transpired at Lords during the second Test, it was necessary to let the ball do the talking. And for England, it did as they bundled the visitors out for just 78.

During the second Test match, Anderson and co got carried away during a stunning unbroken 89 run partnership between Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami. The English bowlers lost the plot and were keener on bowling bouncers and exchanging words with the batters.

But on the first hour of play, Anderson was right on the money as he accounted for three key wickets and was more focused on getting the job done for England on helpful bowling conditions on offer at Headingly.

“We have made a conscious effort of trying to just focus on us, on what we do well and try and ignore everything else, the outside noise or wherever they might be going on, and just yet and make sure there’s a real focus on what we do well,” Anderson said after the day’s play.

Anderson also admitted that he had spoken in the dressing room about the strengths of the team, rather than the weaknesses. “Yeah, I think there was a bit of chat about that. We were just making a point of trying to focus on what we do well.”

“I think that you know the first three or four days at Lords we probably played brilliantly and, we didn’t really get involved in too much discussion. Maybe until day three, and then after that, maybe just at times it did affect a little bit or, as individuals, it did affect a little bit.”

James Anderson on getting Virat Kohli out

Anderson yet again dismissed the Indian skipper for just seven runs. This is the second time the veteran seamer has got the better of the right-hand batter in the series and he is happy that he has so far managed to keep Kohli quiet.

“I think so (it was special). We have had some great battles over the years. He is a fantastic player and someone you want to keep quiet as a team. Especially, in a five-match series, if he gets going he can be very disruptive.”

“I think the way we have bowled to him throughout the series has been very very good. We just got to keep doing that and keep him quiet as often as we can.”