England secured a decisive victory by an innings and 114 runs over West Indies in the first test at Lord’s on Friday, with James Anderson taking a wicket on the third day as he concluded his illustrious international career.
Anderson, appearing emotional, walked out to a guard of honour and received a standing ovation from the crowd in his 188th and final test match. However, the 41-year-old seamer quickly got back to business, dismissing Joshua Da Silva (9) caught behind in his second over of the day, achieving his 704th test wicket—the most by a fast bowler in the format.
Anderson’s fourth wicket of the match diminished West Indies’ hopes of avoiding a follow-on. Da Silva was soon followed by Alzarri Joseph (8), who opted for aggressive shots, hitting Gus Atkinson back over his head for four before top-edging a wild swipe to Ben Duckett on the leg-side boundary, giving Atkinson his tenth wicket on his test debut.
hamar Joseph (3) was the next to fall, bowled by Atkinson as he missed a straight yorker with a misguided swing across the line. Gudakesh Motie (31 not out) offered some resistance, involved in two key moments: driving Atkinson to the cover boundary, prompting a full-length dive from Anderson to save a single, and later seemingly handing Anderson his 705th test wicket with a drive straight back to the bowler, which Anderson dropped.
Anderson did not get another chance for a final wicket, and Atkinson concluded the innings when Jayden Seales (8) holed out to Duckett, leaving West Indies all out for 136 and securing a heavy defeat in just under seven sessions.
The second test of the three-match series will commence at Trent Bridge next Thursday.
