London: James Anderson took the best innings figures of his Test career as England completed a nine-wicket and series-clinching victory against West Indies at Lord’s on Saturday.
Anderson followed up his Friday feat of becoming the first England bowler and only sixth in history to take 500 Test wickets by finishing with a return of seven for 42 in 20.1 overs as West Indies were dismissed for 177 in their second innings on the third day of the third Test.
That left England with a meagre target of 107 and they finished on 107 for one off 28 overs as they took a three-match series 2-1.
Mark Stoneman was 40 not out and Tom Westley 44 not out in an unbroken stand of 72.
Anderson’s return just surpassed his previous best in 129 career Tests of seven for 43 against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in 2008.
It was also the fifth time the 35-year-old Lancashire swing bowler had taken five or more wickets in a Test innings at Lord’s, with England all-round great Ian Botham’s eight such hauls the most anyone has taken in Tests at ‘the home of cricket’.
Infographic
Pacer eyes McGrath’s tally after joining 500 club
James Anderson said he hoped to get “somewhere near” Australia great Glenn McGrath’s tally after joining Test cricket’s 500-wicket club at Lord’s on Friday.
Anderson became the first England bowler to the landmark and just the sixth in history when, having started the West Indies’ second innings with 499 Test wickets behind him, he clean bowled opener Kraigg Brathwaite.
The 35-year-old Lancashire swing king was just the third paceman to take 500 Test wickets behind McGrath (563 Test wickets) and West Indies great Courtney Walsh (519).
Anderson is the only active cricketer in the ‘500 club’, with the spin trio of Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test wickets), Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619), in common with McGrath and Walsh, all retired.
“I’m just trying to stay fit and stay on the field,” Anderson, set to be England’s spearhead during their upcoming Ashes defence in Australia, told Sky Sports.
“I’m loving playing cricket at the moment, I just want to keep playing. If I keep on playing, I might get somewhere near (McGrath’s tally),” Anderson said.
