Former right-arm seamer James Anderson has rejoined the England team as the bowling guru for the final two Test matches of the series, having retired from international cricket following the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s. At Trent Bridge in Nottingham, the second Test between England and the West Indies will begin on Thursday. Anderson will take on a new role starting in the second game of the series, as he will be the mentor for the English bowling lineup for the remaining two games.
On Friday, the fast bowler, who finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history, said goodbye to the sport.
The 41-year-old finished with 704 career wickets in the format, third behind the late Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralidaran, after taking four wickets in the Test match.
The hosts dominated the Caribbeans in the Test match, winning by an innings and 114 runs. On social media, a few of the game’s icons from the past and present recognized Anderson for his more than two decades of contributions to cricket.
Reporting from the inaugural Test match between the West Indies and England, Anderson claimed the first wicket of the day at Lord’s, dismissing Joshua Da Silva, thereby ending the West Indies’ resistance.
While Anderson displayed his goods for the very last time, Gus Atkinson made his Test debut and permanently inscribed his name on the Lord’s honours board with a ten-wicket haul—a true passing of the baton, if there ever was one.
English batsmen had already gained a commanding half-century lead with a total of 371 runs scored in the first inning. On day one of the Test match, Gus Atkinson’s seven wicket haul contributed to the West Indies being bowled out for 121.
Day two saw England’s seamers go on the rampage, taking six wickets against the West Indies by stumping them with a 250-run lead. The Three Lions defeated the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs on Friday, led by Anderson who set the tone with a peach that seamed back in to castle Kraigg Brathwaite. Atkinson was impressive as always.
