James Anderson rips his pants trying to get out Mitchell Starc with a diving catch — WATCH

James Anderson made a full stretch dive to dismiss Mitchell Starc but could not convert his effort into a wicket-taking one

By: Arun Rawal |
December 5, 2017 11:51 am

James Anderson cannot be classified as the best fielder in England’s Ashes squad but one has to give full marks for his effort on Day 5 of the Adelaide pink ball Test. On the last ball of the 53rd over, Anderson bowled a back of the length delivery on Mitchell Starc’s hips. Starc tried to glance the ball off his hips towards the leg side but ended up playing it early. The ball went up taking an edge off the bat, almost hung up in the air. Anderson ran to take the catch on his follow through but could not complete it, instead ripped his pants as his right knee was completely visible.

Anderson rolled over as he tried to take the catch with his knee skidding on the pitch. The 35-year-old laid on his back after surviving the accident. The physio ran in as they ensured that their front-line bowler is okay. England players walked up to him as well. What could have been his fifth wicket ended in a disastrous dropped chance.

Here’s the video of the accident –

All happening! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/Pf8VeCthjP

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 5, 2017

Starc was given a second chance when he was batting on 18. Though he could not make the most of it as he got out for 20 in Anderson’s next over trying to hit him for a big shot.

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With Starc’s wicket Anderson completed his five-wicket haul in Ashes 2017-18. The veteran bowler struggled in the first Test at Gabba to put pressure on the batsmen. In the first innings at the Adelaide Oval, he was denied the wickets of Tim Paine and Shaun Marsh due to reversals after DRS.

A five-wicket haul for Jimmy Anderson! Well played #Ashes #ohwhatafeeling @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/NsoNAvhZOl

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 5, 2017

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His bowling spell helped England wrap up Australia’s second innings for 138 giving his team a chance to chase down a score of 354.