James Anderson's unplayable delivery sent the West Indies captain back, showcasing his mastery that has outfoxed batters for over two decades.
New Delhi: James Anderson may have had a quiet start during the West Indies’ first innings at Lord’s in the first Test, but he made a significant impact in the second. On Day 2, Anderson bowled 10 overs and achieved impressive figures of 2/11. The West Indies were reduced to their last four wickets and still trailed by 171 runs. This outcome makes it impossible for Anderson to surpass Shane Warne’s record of 708 wickets, with the England veteran’s current tally at 703. Nonetheless, he showcased his enduring skill and experience by dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite, giving younger fans a glimpse of his remarkable career.
Anderson clinched the wicket on the first delivery of his ninth over and it was the first breakthrough in that innings. The 41-year-old got the ball to move away from Braithwaite sharply off the seam. Brathwaite’s wickert turned out to be Anderson’s 702nd Test wicket.
Jimmy Anderson, there are no words
pic.twitter.com/bBRCS1uykD
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2024
The veteran pacer later dismissed Alick Athanaze in the 29th over with a masterful spell. Athanaze, who was only four years old when Anderson made his international debut for England in 2002, faced a display of Anderson’s experience and skill. Anderson varied his approach by going over the wicket, then around the wicket, making the ball swing both ways. His persistence paid off on the second ball of the 29th over. He bowled it full and wide outside off, but not full enough for Athanaze to drive it easily. Athanaze edged the ball, and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith took a straightforward catch.
The home of cricket was primed on Wednesday to pay tribute to James Anderson, playing for his country for the final time after a record-breaking 22-year career. However, it was Surrey pacer Gus Atkinson who stole the spotlight, helping to topple the West Indies for 121 all out in the first Test. Anderson provided the crowd with the moment they had eagerly awaited by dismissing No. 11 Jayden Seales to end the innings, giving the sellout crowd a fitting finale.
Stokes gave fans exactly what they wanted by winning the toss and opting to bowl first under cloudy skies. However, an early breakthrough for the man of the moment, James Anderson, was missing. Anderson bowled tidily and beat the bat a couple of times during a five-over burst with the new ball, but it wasn’t until Gus Atkinson took over that things began to happen. Atkinson’s second delivery was little more than a loosener, but West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite waved a crooked bat outside off stump and ended up dragging the ball onto his own stumps.
