ENG vs WI 2nd Test Day 4 LIVE© AFP

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ENG vs WI 2nd Test Day 2 LIVE© AFP

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James Anderson bowed out of international cricket on the winning side as England thrashed the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs on the third day of the first Test at Lord’s on Friday. This was the 41-year-old veteran’s 188th and last Test before retiring from England duty, with Anderson’s tally of 704 Test wickets the most taken by any fast bowler in the history of the format. “It’s been an amazing week, been overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground,” Anderson told Sky Sports.

“I’m just proud of what I’ve achieved,” he added.

But it was Gus Atkinson, who ended the game when he had Jayden Seales caught in the deep, the debutant fast bowler finishing with superb match figures of 12-106 as England went 1-0 up in a three-Test series. 

West Indies were dismissed for 136 in their second innings, with Anderson — 42 later this month — taking a typically miserly 3-32 in 16 overs  

They resumed on the brink of defeat at 79-6 in their second innings, still a mammoth 171 runs behind England’s first-innings 37.

But with only four more wickets left to fall, Anderson had no chance of eclipsing Australia great Shane Warne‘s tally of 708 Test wickets and moving into second place in the all-time list headed by another spinner in Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets). 

Before Friday’s play started, both teams lined up outside the Pavilion to give Anderson a guard of honour, with the veteran paceman receiving a standing ovation from the crowd at the ‘Home of Cricket’ — where he made his Test debut against Zimbabwe back in 2003.

‘Emotional’

“Obviously this morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd,” said Anderson.

“I’m still trying to hold back the tears now. Playing for 20-odd years is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler, so I’m happy I’ve made it this far. It’s the best job in the world and I’ve been privileged to be able to do it..”

West Indies had lost Jason Holder to Thursday’s last ball and, after Atkinson completed that over, Anderson was straight into the action at the Nursery End on Friday.

It was not long before Anderson struck in familiar fashion when Joshua Da Silva, who had added just one to his overnight eight not out, feathered a ball that angled in and nipped away to give wicketkeeper Jamie Smith a simple catch on the England Test debutant’s 24th birthday.

West Indies were now 88-7, with many left wondering why Anderson — set to become a mentor to England’s quicks — was calling it a day given he could still produce deliveries like this.

The rationale behind the selectors’ decision was the need to rebuild ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, Atkinson then had Alzarri Joseph out hooking a bouncer to complete a 10-wicket haul for the match.

Atkinson was just the third bowler to take at least 10 wickets on their Test debut at Lord’s after England great Alec Bedser (11-145 against India in 1946) and Australia’s Bob Massie (16-137 in 1972)  

The 26-year-old Atkinson then bowled Shamar Joseph with an excellent yorker that crashed into the base of off stump.

Anderson then missed a chance to finish the match — and his England career — in fairytale fashion when he dropped a return chance from tailender Gudakesh Motie.

“I’m still gutted I dropped that catch, to be honest,” said Anderson after close of play.

Motie then became the first West Indies batsman in the match to reach 30 but that could not disguise the failings of his top-order team-mates.

The West Indies were dismissed for just 121 in their first innings as Atkinson took a sensational 7-45.

By contrast, five England batsmen all scored fifties with Smith, a Surrey team-mate of Atkinson, contributing a stylish 70.

West Indies now have little time to regroup before the second Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham starts on Thursday.

But they at least have the consolation of knowing they won’t have to face Anderson again.

England vs West Indies LIVE, 1st Test Day 3© AFP

James Anderson may be retiring after the first Test between England and West Indies, but he reminded everyone that class is permanent on Day 2 of the match. Anderson came back to bowl after England achieved a 250-run lead in the first innings. Opening the bowling, Anderson struck first, sending back West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite with a superb inswinger. Having claimed only one wicket in the first innings, Anderson produced the special delivery he’d been searching to cap off an incredible Test career.

Watch: Anderson knocks over Brathwaite with unplayable delivery

Jimmy Anderson, there are no words pic.twitter.com/bBRCS1uykD

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2024

Bowling the ninth over of the West Indies second innings, Anderson’s ball dipped low and swung back in towards the right-handed Brathwaite, who was completely foxed. It was Anderson’s 702nd Test wicket.

“Top class from James Anderson. Finally, the good bowlers will find a way through,” remarked Ian Bishop from the commentary box.

Anderson would strike again later in the day, picking up his 703rd wicket by dismissing Alick Athanaze. West Indies ended Day 2 on 79/6, staring at an innings defeat.

However, with only four more wickets left, Anderson cannot touch Shane Warne‘s tally of 708 Test wickets, and eclipse him to become the second-highest Test wicket-taker. Muttiah Muralidharan still maintains the lead at 800 Test scalps.

Atkinson steals the show in Anderson’s farewell game

As Anderson prepared to bid goodbye, another pacer saying hello to the world of Test cricket took the England-West Indies game by storm. 26-year-old pacer Gus Atkinson – making his debut – ran through the West Indies batting, picking up seven wickets in the first innings.

Atkinson’s remarkable debut helped England bundle out the Windies for a paltry 121. In reply, England put up 371, courtesy of half-centuries from Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook and another debutant Jamie Smith.

Atkinson had been picked up by Kolkata Knight Riders ahead of IPL 2024, but did not play a game and eventually withdrew from the squad.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes on Thursday joined the company of West Indies great Garry Sobers and South Africa’s legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis to become the third player and first England player to secure a double of 6,000-plus runs and 200-plus wickets in Test cricket. Stokes accomplished this feat against West Indies in the first Test of the three-match series at Lord’s. Dismissing batter Kirk McKenzie in his first over, Stokes got his 200th Test wicket. In 103 Tests, he has taken 200 wickets so far. Also with the bat, he has scored 6,320 runs at an average of 35.30, with 13 centuries and 31 fifties. His best score is 258.

Meanwhile, Sobers has (8,032 runs and 235 wickets in 93 Tests) and Kallis has (13,289 runs and 292 wickets in 166 Tests).

Also, he is the sixth overall and first-ever England player to secure a double of 10,000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket. In 260 international matches, Stokes has scored 10,368 runs at an average of 35.75, with 18 centuries and 56 fifties, with the best score of 258. He also has completed his 300 wickets in international cricket.

West Indies all-rounder Carl Hooper, Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya, Kallis, Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi and Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan are other players to have scored 10,000 runs and taken 300 or more wickets in Tests.

Coming to the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals and never really got a breather. Mikyle Louis (27 in 58 balls), Kavem Hodge (24 in 48 balls) and Alick Athanaze (23 in 56 balls) did the bulk of scoring as Windies was skittled out for 121 runs in 41.4 overs.

In their first innings, England gained a 250-run lead and they were bundled out for 371 runs, with half-centuries coming from Zak Crawley (76 in 89 balls), debutant wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith (70 in 119 balls), Joe Root (68 in 114 balls), Ollie Pope (57 in 74 balls) and Harry Brook (50 in 64 balls).

Jayden Seales (4/77) was the pick of the bowlers for West Indies. Jason Holder and Gudakesh Motie also took two wickets.

Teams:

West Indies (Playing XI): Kraigg Brathwaite(c), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Joshua Da Silva(w), Jason Holder, Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales

England (Playing XI): Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.

England Test captain Ben Stokes made a sensational declaration that his side “will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket”. Stokes made the claim during a post-match dressing room speech, which was shown by the ECB during a documentary about the 2023 Ashes series. The all-rounder’s remarks came after the 4th Test in last year’s was washed out due to rain in Manchester. The washout allowed Australia to retain the Ashes ‘Urn’, leaving the England players devastated.

After losing the first two Tests, England managed to make a comeback in the Ashes 2023, which ended 2-2. However, Australia were able to retain the Ashes despite that result.

“Everything we’ve done up until now isn’t going to stop because we haven’t managed to win the urn back. The reward for our work isn’t what we get but what we become. And what we have managed to do is we’ve managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket. I know it’s going to be a bit flat, I know it’s going to hurt that we go into the next game (at The Oval) not being able to get the urn back. But what we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team – be the team that everybody will always remember,” Stokes had said after the fourth Test was washed out, as shown by the ECB in the documentary titled ‘The Ashes 2023 | Our Take’.

Reacting to Stokes’ remarks, Fox Sports Australia shared the exact quotes to take a jibe at him, saying: “right, yeah, sure”.

However, Stokes was quick to retort as he claimed that his only intention was to motivate his teammates, and hinted that Australians are obsessed with England.

“Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh,but anyways rent free and all that,” Stokes responded on the post.

Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh,but anyways rent free and all that https://t.co/ULRZ4WITOq

— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) July 3, 2024

For the record, England have not won an Ashes series since 2015, while there last Ashes Test win on Australian soil came back in 2009.

England batter and former skipper Joe Root shared his surprising take on the incident that saw Jonny Bairstow dismissed uniquely in the Ashes series 2023 against Australia. Root highlighted the need for players to be more aware while acknowledging the legality of the dismissal. It was the second Test of the Ashes series as England were in the midst of a challenging run-chase of 371 runs. Jonny Bairstow, known for his resilience at the crease, was on 10 runs when the moment of controversy unfolded. After ducking a ball, Bairstow casually stepped outside his crease, assuming the ball was dead. However, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey seized the opportunity, swiftly stumping Bairstow before he could return to safety.

The dismissal, which came on the fourth day of the game, was pivotal. England, needing 371 runs, was skittled for 327, resulting in a 2-0 series lead for Australia. The manner of Bairstow’s dismissal sparked an uproar.

Members of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) voiced their displeasure at the Australian team as they returned to the Long Room for lunch, and debates raged about the ‘Spirit of Cricket’. Many argued that Bairstow should have been warned, while others maintained that the dismissal, though controversial, was within the laws of the game.

In the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Board’s documentary, ‘The Ashes 2023 Our Take’, Joe Root reflects on the incident with candor. “Initially I was quite angry, but I think when you are involved in the game it is very difficult to put yourself in the other position. So I would like to say I would have dealt with it differently (than Australia), but I could very easily have done the same thing,” Root admitted.

Root’s perspective is one of understanding and realism. “Jonny will hate me saying this, but if you stay in your crease you can’t get given out can you? At the end of the day it is within the laws of the game. You should be aware as a player,” he added.

Root lauded the leadership of skipper Ben Stokes, who rallied the team in the face of adversity. Stokes’ resilience and strategic acumen led England to a 2-2 draw in the series, a remarkable comeback after the contentious dismissal at Lord’s. The team won the third and fifth Tests comprehensively, and the fourth Test at Manchester was only interrupted by rain, preventing what could have been an England victory.

Root’s reflections extend to the broader impact of the incident on the team’s spirit. “It deserved more than for us to come out on the wrong end of that (Lord’s) result. For England’s captain to show us this is how we play our cricket regardless of the situation, regardless of what people might have said in the first innings, how we got dismissed, reckless, careless, no thought behind it. It was a really powerful moment for us as a team and the rest of the series as well,” he concluded.

In the end, while Australia retained the prestigious Ashes urn by drawing the series, they failed to win a series in England for the first time since 2001.