Clarke hopes for ‘McGrath in ’05’ effect

Cricket365
August 7, 2015

Australia captain Michael Clarke hopes England fast bowler James Anderson's side strain will have the same effect on the England side that Glenn McGrath's ankle injury had on the Aussies in 2005.

Anderson has been ruled out of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge after injuring his intercostal muscles at Edgbaston, and while England went on to win the match, Clarke hopes the paceman's absence on Thursday will work in his favour.

In 2005, McGrath destroyed England in the first Test, but then stepped on a cricket ball in training and twisted his ankle, ruling him out of the second Test and the series. England went on to win the Ashes.

Clarke said on Triple M radio: "Every day there’s something new that pops up, (there’s been) plenty of distractions for both teams, that’s for sure.

"I guess we experienced it in losing Ryan Harris before a ball was bowled this series, and now Jimmy Anderson is certainly out of this Test match, and who knows if he'll be fit for the last one as well?

"As much as you don't wish injury on anyone, I hope it can play a part like in 2005 when we lost Glenn McGrath."

He continued: "Hopefully we can take a bit of confidence knowing that someone who, I think he averages 19 (as a bowler) at this ground in Nottingham, is unavailable for selection.

"I think we can take a lot of positives from that. But again it’s about performance. No matter who they bring in, I'm sure they'll bowl well.

"I'm pretty sure conditions will be pretty similar to what we just faced (in Edgbaston), so there might be a bit of swing and a bit of seam around, and we've just got to find a way to get in, and once we do get in, go on and make a real big score."

The series sits at two-one to England after three Tests. None of the games have reached day five.