James Anderson took two wickets in his final innings as an interantional bowler to help put England on course for a huge win over West Indies in the first Test at Lord’s.
Anderson, who opened the attack for the last time in his glittering England career, set them on their way by bowling out captain Kraigg Brathwaite and returned to have Alick Athanaze caught behind.
Skipper Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson also took two to leave the Windies on 79-6 at the end of day two, still 171 short of making England bat again.
The tourists bowled out England for 371, with Test debutant Jamie Smith enhancing his burgeoning reputation with an assured 70.
Joe root was in typically fine form with 68 and Harry Brook 50, though England failed to capitalise on some favourable batting conditions with a really big score.
Despite that, Anderson looks set for a fitting farewell on Friday with England poised to record a comfortable victory.
Ruthless 💪
We’re just four wickets from victory at the end of Day 2 at Lord’s…#ENGLANDCRICKET | #ENGVWI PIC.TWITTER.COM/PRA4RM9G9T
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) JULY 11, 2024
Smith said: “We are close to a perfect position.
“We wanted to start the summer strongly and get on the front foot, which we have done. Hopefully we’ll get the last four wickets as quickly as possible tomorrow.”
Anderson briefly joined Smith in the middle but did noyt face a ball due to the 23-year-old being the last man out when he was caught on the square-leg boundary.
He added:”It was surreal. I am slightly gutted I didn’t see that last ball go for six so he could have his moment. That’s one thing I regret about that innings, I think.
“Everyone is going to miss Jimmy when he goes and to be part of this is pretty special.”
