Watch: James Anderson played his trademark reverse sweep off Nathan Lyon to pick up four from his first ball as England’s tail extended their lead over Australia on day four at Edgbaston.
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Anderson came in with England’s lead just having crept above 260 thanks to a potentially crucial partnership of 27 for the ninth wicket between Ollie Robinson and Stuart Broad. Robinson was out to Nathan Lyon with 15 minutes before the tea interval, mistiming the ball to Cameron Green at long on.
With every run England extended their lead by significant and one ball left in Lyon’s over, Anderson played to his strengths immediately. He unfurled his trademark reverse-sweep, turning the ball wide enough to beat Steve Smith as the only slip in place and pick up a first-ball boundary.
Anderson has garnered a reputation for his ability with the shot, and is often able to make use of it to pick up runs, in spite of his firm position as England’s No.11.
He and Broad put on 17 runs between them before Anderson edged behind to Alex Carey, setting Australia a fourth-innings target of 281.
