Watch: In his final opening spell in Test match cricket, England pacer James Anderson produced a gem of a delivery to knock over West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite during the Lord's test between the sides.
As the visitors came out to bat in their second innings, they were facing a deficit of 250 runs and needed a solid effort with the bat this time around to have any chance of holding out for even a draw in the match. Captain Brathwaite took strike, with debutant Mikyle Louis at the other end.
James Anderson in Asia:
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 11, 2024
– 32 Tests
– 92 wickets @ 27.51
– 2.59 economy rate
– Joint-most wickets by an overseas seamer
🤝 @rado #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/KRTMSZYeYM
Brathwaite negotiated the first over of the innings, playing out a maiden against Anderson. It was not easy, as he had to deal with some inconsistent bounce, as well as the ability of the veteran to move the ball both ways in the air and off the pitch.
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The two faced off next in the seventh over, with Anderson mainly bowling outswingers and getting one ball to nip back in off the seam. Again, Brathwaite survived but failed to score a run. In the ninth over, the very first ball from Anderson cut back in sharply off the wicket, to smash into middle stump. It became the eighth time he had dismissed Brathwaite in Test cricket, this time for four runs.
Earlier in the match, Gus Atkinson had starred in the first innings with 7-45 on Test debut to help bowl West Indies out for 121. Therafter, half-centuries from five English batters helped them put together a lead of 250 at tea on Day 2.
Watch James Anderson bowl Kraigg Brathwaite with a big inducker here
Jimmy Anderson, there are no words 🤯 pic.twitter.com/bBRCS1uykD
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 11, 2024
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