England’s Anderson on top of the world rankings

AFP, LONDON: James Anderson’s career-best figures have catapulted the England paceman to the top of the International Cricket Council's Test bowling rankings.

The swing bowler produced something of a clinic as he took seven for 42 against West Indies -- a haul that included his 500th Test wicket -- in England's nine-wicket win at Lord's on Saturday that saw them to a 2-1 series victory. Anderson has now overtaken India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to regain the number one spot he most recently held in August last year.

The 35-year-old Anderson is also the oldest bowler to top the rankings since Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2009, a feat that ends a memorable season for the Lancashire star who took 39 wickets in seven Tests for England this home season at an average of just 14.1.

England’s series win over West Indies kept them third in the Test standings, behind India and South Africa.

James Anderson has known many great days in his career but he said Saturday's nine-wicket defeat of West Indies would live him with “for a long time” after taking 500 Test wickets.

Having become the first England bowler, and just the sixth in history, to reach the landmark figure on Friday, the 35-year-old Anderson carried on to post new Test-best figures of seven for 42 on Saturday as West Indies were dismissed for 177 in their second innings.

That left England with a target of just 107 for a 2-1 series victory and they duly knocked off the runs in 28 overs to win with more than two days to spare.

Anderson, who made his Test debut at Lord's back in 2003, needed just four balls Saturday to take his third wicket of the innings after a double strike on Friday.

He then claimed two in three balls after lunch, including the key wicket of Shai Hope for 62 as West Indies' man-of-the-series was caught behind off an excellent leg-cutter.

That double success started a collapse that saw West Indies lose their last four wickets for just 22 runs.

Once Anderson had bowled Kemar Roach to wrap up West Indies' second innings, it was just a question of what margin England would win by and how quickly they would do it.

Cook's exit, lbw for 17 to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo's first ball of the innings, denied England a 10-wicket success.

But under pressure top-order batsmen Mark Stoneman (40 not out) and Tom Westley (44 not out) saw England to their meagre target without further loss. Victory meant Root has won both his first two Test series as England captain after a 3-1 success against South Africa earlier in the season.

 

Englands Anderson on top of the world rankings

AFP, LONDON: James Andersons career-best figures have catapulted the England paceman to the top of the International Cricket Councils Test bowling rankings. The swing bowler produced something of a clinic as he took seven for 42 against West Indies -- a haul that included his 500th Test wicket -- in Englands nine-wicket win at Lords on Saturday that saw them to a 2-1 series victory. Anderson has now overtaken India left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja to regain the number one spot he most recently held in August last year. The 35-year-old Anderson is also the oldest bowler to top the rankings since Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan in July 2009, a feat that ends a memorable season for the Lancashire star who took 39 wickets in seven Tests for England this home season at an average of just 14.1. Englands series win over West Indies kept them third in the Test standings, behind India and South Africa. James Anderson has known many great days in his career but he said Saturdays nine-wicket defeat of West Indies would live him with for a long time after taking 500 Test wickets. Having become the first England bowler, and just the sixth in history, to reach the landmark figure on Friday, the 35-year-old Anderson carried on to post new Test-best figures of seven for 42 on Saturday as West Indies were dismissed for 177 in their second innings. That left England with a target of just 107 for a 2-1 series victory and they duly knocked off the runs in 28 overs to win with more than two days to spare. Anderson, who made his Test debut at Lords back in 2003, needed just four balls Saturday to take his third wicket of the innings after a double strike on Friday. He then claimed two in three balls after lunch, including the key wicket of Shai Hope for 62 as West Indies man-of-the-series was caught behind off an excellent leg-cutter. That double success started a collapse that saw West Indies lose their last four wickets for just 22 runs. Once Anderson had bowled Kemar Roach to wrap up West Indies second innings, it was just a question of what margin England would win by and how quickly they would do it. Cooks exit, lbw for 17 to leg-spinner Devendra Bishoos first ball of the innings, denied England a 10-wicket success. But under pressure top-order batsmen Mark Stoneman (40 not out) and Tom Westley (44 not out) saw England to their meagre target without further loss. Victory meant Root has won both his first two Test series as England captain after a 3-1 success against South Africa earlier in the season.