James Anderson Shines as England Closes In on Victory Over West Indies in First Test
In a fitting farewell to his illustrious international career, James Anderson spearheaded England’s charge towards a commanding innings victory over the West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s on Thursday. The West Indies struggled immensely in their second innings, finishing the day at 79-6, trailing England’s first-innings total of 371 by a daunting 171 runs. Anderson, in his 188th and final Test match, delivered a stellar performance, claiming 2-11 in 10 economical overs.
Anderson, who entered this match with an impressive 700 wickets—the highest for any fast bowler in Test cricket’s 147-year history—had to wait until the final wicket of the West Indies’ first innings to add to his tally. He dismissed Jayden Seales, bringing his career total to 701 wickets. However, Thursday saw Anderson making an immediate impact by dismissing West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite for 12-1 with a superb delivery that moved off the seam.
England captain Ben Stokes played a significant supporting role, removing Kirk McKenzie for a duck, becoming only the third cricketer after Garry Sobers and Jacques Kallis to achieve the double of 200 wickets and 6,000 runs in Tests. Stokes continued to exert pressure, dismissing debutant Mikyle Louis, who top-scored with 27 in the West Indies’ first innings, for 14.
Gus Atkinson, another debutant, followed up his first-innings heroics of 7-45 by claiming the wicket of Kavem Hodge, who played on to his stumps. Alick Athanaze provided some resistance with a score of 22 but ultimately edged a delivery from Anderson to debutant wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, leaving the West Indies at a precarious 55-5.
The West Indies managed to avoid the ignominy of a two-day defeat, reminiscent of their collapse against England at Headingley in 2000, but suffered a further setback when Jason Holder was brilliantly caught at short leg by Ollie Pope off Atkinson’s delivery, closing the day’s play.
Earlier in the day, Jamie Smith, averaging over fifty in the County Championship this season for Surrey, made a striking 70 off 119 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes. Smith’s contribution was part of a collective batting effort that saw five England batsmen—Zak Crawley (76), Joe Root (68), Pope (57), Harry Brook (50), and Smith—reach half-centuries.
England resumed their innings on 189-3 and quickly extended their lead, despite a brief fightback from West Indies’ spinner Gudakesh Motie, who bowled both Stokes and Root with sharply turning deliveries. Smith, selected for his aggressive batting ability, justified the selectors’ decision by launching a counterattack, highlighted by sixes off Shamar Joseph and Seales.
As the innings neared its end, Anderson received a standing ovation from the MCC members at the Pavilion for what was likely his final Test batting appearance. Anderson remained unbeaten without facing a ball, as Smith’s dismissal ended England’s innings with Seales taking 4-77.
England’s dominant position sets the stage for a likely victory, with Anderson’s farewell performance epitomizing his remarkable career and contributions to English cricket.
