• England registered a dominant victory over the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs in the first Test at Lord's.

  • James Anderson bid farewell to his illustrious Test career with a spectacular win.

Cricket fraternity celebrate as England seals win over West Indies in James Anderson’s farewell Test
James Anderson (Image Source: X)

Table of Contents

James Anderson, the veteran seamer of England, bid farewell to his illustrious Test career with a spectacular performance against the West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground. Spanning over 188 Test matches and more than two decades, Anderson’s final Test was marked by England’s dominant victory over the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs, wrapping up the first Test match in just two days and a session.

James Anderson’s legendary test career comes to an end

In his farewell match, Anderson played a pivotal role, picking four wickets in total, including a crucial three-wicket haul. His contributions were complemented by Gus Atkinson, who made a stunning Test debut by taking a total of 12 wickets in the match – seven wickets in the first innings and five in the second. Anderson and Atkinson formed a formidable bowling partnership that dismantled the West Indies batting lineup.

Match recap: England vs West Indies

England’s dominance began with their superb bowling effort in the first innings, where they bundled out the West Indies for a mere 121 runs within two sessions. Atkinson’s exceptional performance with the ball, claiming seven wickets for 45 runs, set the tone for England’s commanding position in the match. In reply, England amassed a substantial first-innings total, bolstered by five half-centuries, including a notable 76 from opener Zak Crawley and 70 from debutant Jamie Smith. With a significant lead of 250 runs, England put themselves in a commanding position going into the second innings.

Also WATCH: James Anderson receives Guard of Honour from England and West Indies players on Day 3 of Lord’s Test

Second innings and victory of England

England continued their dominance in the second innings by quickly dismantling the West Indies batting order, reducing them to six wickets for under 80 runs by the end of day two. Captain Ben Stokes contributed with two crucial wickets, solidifying his stature as an elite all-rounder by achieving the milestone of 6000 runs and 200 Test wickets.

On the third day, Anderson added to his farewell heroics by taking another wicket, while Atkinson wrapped up the West Indies innings by dismissing the last three batters. Despite a spirited 30-run innings from Gudakesh Motie, the West Indies fell short, conceding victory to England by an innings and 114 runs.

Legacy and records

Anderson concludes his Test career with 704 wickets, just four behind the late Shane Warne, marking the highest tally by any fast bowler in the history of the game. His mastery of swing and seam bowling, coupled with his longevity and consistency, solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have graced the sport.

Here’s how Fans reacted:

Also READ: ENG vs WI – England skipper Ben Stokes pens a heartwarming note for retiring James Anderson

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About the Author:
AMAR PAL SINGH BHALLA
Amar is a sports enthusiast and a talented writer who has found the perfect career that combines his two passions. As a valuable member of Cricket Times, Amar brings his passion for cricket and his talent for writing to the fore, providing readers with insightful and engaging content. Cricket lives rent-free in his mind. A person who views cricket as a metaphor for life. You can connect with Amar at amar.bhalla@crickettimes.com and also follow him on LinkedIn.