James Anderson says first hour critical on final day in Nagpur
Last Updated: December 16, 2012 12:27pm
James Anderson: Taking nothing for granted on final day
Sky Bet
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James Anderson says the first hour of the final day of the final Test with India may decide the destiny of the series.
England - who only need to draw the match to win a series in India for the first time in 27 years - closed the fourth day in Nagpur in a strong position, on 161-3, a lead of 165.
Only four wickets fell in the day, but Anderson believes there are lessons to be learned from the final hour of Saturday's third day.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli batted most of the day, only for England to rally with four quickfire wickets in the final hour, and Anderson says the tourists must not take anything for granted on Monday.
"There's still a long way to go in the game. It's a really important start for us tomorrow," he said.
"The first hour will be crucial. If we can get through that then hopefully we can build a couple of good partnerships throughout the day and make sure the game is safe.
"Kohli and Dhoni played extremely well - but I think we're in a pretty good position in the game," Anderson added.
"It's a pretty flat pitch and as a seam bowler you have really got to run in and give it everything to try and get anything out of it. I tried to do that yesterday (Saturday).
"Maybe I was feeling a bit tired towards the end of the day, but as soon as we saw an opening to get amongst their batsmen we all tried to pounce on that."
