The evergreen James Anderson exhibited complete mastery over his craft on way to a 31st five-wicket haul to wrap up India’s first innings at 364 and bring England back into the second Test here on Friday.
Thanks to Anderson’s (5/62) exploits and a fine supporting act by Mark Wood (2/91) on day two, England got an opportunity to bat in the second session and reached 119 for 3 at the stumps.
This was the 39-year-old Anderson’s seventh five-for at the hallowed Lord’s, four of them coming against India.
“It definitely is as special. Every time you play on this ground, it is special. And certainly, the last few times I’ve come here, I think, ‘would this be the last time I’m playing here?’ I think it’s an extra bit special, at Lord’s, certainly for me personally,” James Anderson said at the press conference after the second day’s play
“I made my debut at Lord’s, took my first five-wicket haul here and to get seven is incredible. I don’t know how I did it. Hopefully, it’s not my last time here, and hopefully, it’s not my last time on the honours board,” said Anderson.
Resuming at 276 for three with overnight centurion KL Rahul (129) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (1) at the crease, India, however, ended up losing seven wickets for 88 runs while squandering the solid platform.
With their enterprise, the flamboyant Rishabh Pant (37) and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja (40) threatened to take the game away from the hosts, Anderson and Wood had other ideas as the later got rid of the dangerous left-handed duo while his senior teammate worked his magic at the other end.
“India played well yesterday. We knew if we would put the same amount of effort, try to control our skills and where we put the ball, stick to the plans we had, we would get our rewards,” said Anderson.
India pegged England back early in the final session as fast bowler Mohammed Siraj had Dom Sibley caught at short mid-wicket for 11 before bowling Haseeb Hameed for a first-ball duck, but the hosts got out of a tight spot.
Joe Root was on 49 – with India burning two reviews after Siraj hit the skipper on the pads – with Jonny Bairstow on six at the close after opener Rory Burns fell late in the day for 49, trapped lbw by Mohammed Shami.
“The partnership with Joe Root and Rory Burns was brilliant. A real shame he got out for 49 at the end of the day. I think we’re in a decent position. I know we have a lot of hard work ahead to do, but we’ll bat back-to-back sessions tomorrow if not all of it to get ourselves into this game, and get ahead in the game maybe,” he said.
