Watch: James Anderson produced a pearler to take his final ever wicket in Test cricket, angling the ball in and nipping it away to take Joshua Da Silva's outside edge through to Jamie Smith on Day Three at Lord's.
The last morning of England's first Test of the summer was all about Anderson, with the 41-year-old stepping out on the Test field of play for the final time. Anderson already had two wickets in the innings, having bowled Kraigg Brathwaitte and nicked off Alick Athanaze the day before. Coming onto bowl in the morning, he only took seven balls to make the breakthrough.
Faced with wicketkeeper-batter Da Silva, Anderson was at his best. He angled the ball into the right-hander, who looked to turn it into the leg side. However, found enough movement to take the ball away from him, catching his outside edge with Smith finsihing off the job with ease.
Anderson unfurled his arms in celebration for the final time, celebrating his 704th Test wicket. He could have finished with 705 had he not put down a simple caught and bowled chance shortly afterwards, missing out on taking the final wicket of the game.
Gus Atkinson instead finished the match off, taking his total number of wickets in the match to 12 and securing five-fors in both innings. Anderson embraced Atkinson immediately following taking the final wicket, in a symbolic passing of the torch.
Watch: James Anderson final Test wicket
Jimmy Anderson at his 𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 best ✨#EnglandCricket | @Jimmy9 pic.twitter.com/98i7Uythss
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2024
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