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James Anderson’s Top 5 Bowling Performances in Test Cricket
England pacer James Anderson continues to play the game despite making his international debut way back in 2003. Some of his teammates, who made their debuts after him, have retired from the game but the T20 World Cup 2010 winner continues to play the game. Over the years, he has bowled to many yesteryear legends to the modern-day greats of the game.
From the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, AB de Villiers, Matthew Hayden, and many more, Anderson has bowled to the likes of Virat Kohli, David Warner, Steve Smith, etc. Not to forget, the Lancashire player is closing on 700-plus Test wickets, a fate only achieved by the late Shane Warne (708) and former Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800). Meanwhile, in this listicle, we will discuss the 41-year-old’s best bowling performances in Tests.
James Anderson’s top five bowling performances in Tests
1. 42/7 against the West Indies in 2017
In the third Test, the Three Lions bowled first and bowled out the Caribbeans for 123 with current skipper Ben Stokes taking a six-for. However, the visitors made a comeback and bowled out the European side for 194. Trailing by 71 runs, the Maroon Brigade was bowled out for just 177, with Anderson getting a seven-for. Having to chase only 107, the home team did it with nine wickets in hand.
2. 43/7 against New Zealand in 2008
In the third Test against New Zealand at home, the Three Lions batted first and got 364 runs, thanks to a hundred from Kevin Pieterson and fifties from Tim Ambrose and Stuart Board. In reply, the World Test Championship 2021 winners were bowled out for 123 runs with Anderson picking seven wickets. The home asked their opponents to follow on. In the second inning, their luck didn’t change much as they were bowled out for 232 runs, losing by an inning and nine runs.
3. 17/6 against Pakistan in 2010
In the first Test of the home series against Pakistan, England batted first and reached 354 with ODI WC 2019 winning captain, Eoin Morgan scoring a hundred and T20 WC 2010 winning captain, Paul Collingwood getting a fifty. Thanks to Anderson’s fifer and Steven Finn’s three wickets, the Asian side was bowled out for 182. In the second innings, the Lions scored 262/9 declared, asking the visitors to chase 435. Pakistan was bowled out for 80, with Anderson picking a six-for.
4. 40/6 against Sri Lanka in 2021
In the second Test between Sri Lanka and England, the home team, Lanka batted first and got 381 with Angelo Mathews scoring a hundred while Niroshan Dickwella missed by eight runs. On the other hand, Dinesh Chandimal and Dilruwan Perera scored fifty each. In the same innings, Anderson took six wickets. England amassed 344 runs in reply. In the second innings, the home team was bowled out for 126, asking England to chase 164, which the visitors did with six wickets in hand.
5. 42/6 against West Indies in 2015
This was one of the games in which England lost despite Amderson’s brilliance. Batting first, the European side amassed 257. In reply, the home team managed only 189 with Anderson taking six wickets. However, the Three Lions were bowled out for 123 runs in the second innings. Having to chase 194, the home team did it with five wickets in hand.