J.M. Anderson

5-73

J.M. Anderson 5-73 v ZimbabweBack to boards

James Anderson arrived on the Test scene for England and became their first bowler to take a five-wicket haul on debut for eight years, as Zimbabwe were put to the fore in 2003 at Lord’s.

England were asked to bat first in favourable bowling conditions but the pitch eased on the second day and they compiled a formidable 472 all out, led by Mark Butcher’s century.

Zimbabwe reached 48 for 1 at the close on day two but the third day became one of the longest in Test history, comprising of nearly eight hours’ play with nineteen wickets falling. Anderson shared the new ball with Matthew Hoggard and despite conceding seventeen runs from his first Test over, he hit back with a maiden and wicket maiden.

He sent stumps cartwheeling as wickets tumbled and claimed figures of 5 for 73 as Zimbabwe crumbled to 147. He went without wickets in the second innings but the visitors were bowled out for 233 following on, and England won by and innings and 92 runs.