Watch: James Anderson provided another red-ball spell to remember as he took career-best figures of 7-19 for Lancashire against Kent at Old Trafford, a performance which saw him pass 1,000 first-class wickets.
In his first appearance since England’s Test series with New Zealand, the Burnley-born quick put on yet another exhibition of Dukes-ball swing bowling. The 38-year-old took a wicket in each of his first three overs in Kent’s first innings before later claiming four more as the visitors collapsed to 34-8.
All seven of Anderson’s wickets were caught behind, with England batsman Zak Crawley the first to go, dismissed for a duck as he edged to second slip.
Jordan Cox and Ollie Robinson soon fell to almost identical deliveries to the one that removed Crawley – the ball swinging in and nipping away to leave both players caught on the crease and unable to avoid edging the ball to the slip cordon. Jack Leaning and Heino Kuhn quickly followed suit, both nicking good length balls outside off stump to leave Kent 19-5.
While Danny Lamb chipped in with 3-16, Anderson claimed the wickets of Matt Milnes and Harry Podmore to complete his day’s work.
Despite fast approaching his 39th birthday, Anderson continues to break his own records, and if today’s performance is anything to go by, he could break many more before his remarkable career comes to an end.
Watch: James Anderson’s 7-19
WATCH: All seven of @jimmy9‘s wickets @EmiratesOT this afternoon! 👏
An absolute exhibition. 😍
🌹 #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/uBImltdBYi
— Lancashire Cricket (@lancscricket) July 5, 2021