Anderson was at his very best with the ball on day one at Chelmsford. He took two wickets in his opening spell, removing both Essex openers.

It took just three balls for Anderson to get amongst the Essex top-order. He dismissed Nick Browne caught in the slips in his first over before trapping Cook. His ex-England captain offered some resistance, however, seeing out ten overs at the crease before succumbing to Anderson’s new-ball mastery.

Looking to square up to an angled in delivery, Cook missed the length ball from Anderson which hit his front pad in front of off-stump. Anderson turned around with both arms outstretched, imploring the umpire to raise his finger. Cook was given out for 16, leaving Essex 17-2.

Tom Westley was given out for five shortly afterwards, deepening Essex’s collapse. They trailed Lancashire by 182 when the third wicket went down.

Anderson finished his spell with figures of 2-20 off seven.

Watch: James Anderson pins ex-England skipper Alastair Cook lbw in blistering opening County Championship spell below

It’s happened!@jimmy9 gets Alastair Cook LBW#LVCountyChamp pic.twitter.com/vtZpTKYsuF

— LV= Insurance County Championship (@CountyChamp) April 13, 2023