ENG vs WI | Anderson ends on 704 as Atkinson's 12 seals perfect farewell with innings triumph

07/12/2024

England marauded their way to a clinical win to begin their home Test summer at Lord's by bowling West Indies out for 136 on Day 3 after having taken a commanding lead of 250 runs. Debutant Gus Atkinson ended with 11 scalps to his name while James Anderson signed off with four wickets in the match.

‌Brief score: ENG 371 defeat WI 121 & 136 [Motie 31*, da Silva 9; Atkinson 5/61] by an innings and 114 runs

With the hard yards over the first two days having culminated in an indisputably winning position heading into Day 3, England could focus on dedicating the occasion to the retiring James Anderson as they gave the 41-year-old a rousing guard of honour along with their West Indian counterparts to begin the day's proceedings.

However, once business began, the veteran returned the compliment by having Joshua da Silva caught behind with a jaffa that moved just enough across the line to square up the wicket-keeper batter. Gus Atkinson thereafter announced himself again by scalping the two Josephs, Alzarri and Shamar, in successive overs with a bouncer and yorker respectively as the overnight score of 76/6 became 103/9. Anderson had the chance to bag a four-wicket haul and end his Test career with 105 scalps when Gudakesh Motie offered him a sharp return catch but the right-arm quick spurned the opportunity. The tailender grasped onto his second lifeline with a valiant display, smacking a few boundaries to become the inning's top scorer with 31 in an 11th-wicket partnership of 33, before Atkinson completed his second five-wicket haul of the encounter by having Jayden Seales holed out at midwicket. The debutant thus ended with match figures of 12/106, the second best by an Englishman in Test history, while Anderson led the team off to bring an end to a historic day of cricket at Lord's.

What a finish!

pic.twitter.com/iU2xWHsRXq
— Gill Bill (@bill_gill76078) July 12, 2024

One of the great

Dear Jimmy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OceSIVCj8Y
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2024

True inspiration

An Inspiration to many, the highest wicket taker among the fast bowlers, one of the greatest of the game James Anderson retires after a 21 year long carrier at the age of 42. Your consistent swing bowling will always be remembered. @jimmy9 #JamesAnderson #ENGvsWI pic.twitter.com/jUWp2TqihF
— Mayank Pandey (@mayankpandey04) July 12, 2024

End os an era

Thank You,

Sir James Anderson

In this era of T20, You made us fall in love with Test Cricket. #JamesAnderson #ENGvsWI pic.twitter.com/kYVL6agQF0
— SHIVDATT (@SHIVDATTSINHSO3) July 12, 2024

Legendary career

Signs off with 704 wickets

What a legendary career James Anderson! pic.twitter.com/Y8NRDd6a8p
— Kanishka Roshan (@KrosaniTy) July 12, 2024

Emotional momemts

GUARD OF HONOUR OF JAMES ANDERSON...!!!!

- An emotional moment at Lord's. ❤️pic.twitter.com/SXzlds5dwL
— Dileep Balasiya (@DileepBalasiya) July 12, 2024

Ruling it

WICKET NUMBER 704 FOR JAMES ANDERSON 🔥

- He is ruling his final test...!!!! pic.twitter.com/m5UuC2bSgW
— Malik Hammad (@Hammad_Iqbal786) July 12, 2024

Take a bow

Good Bye Jimmy.

704 is the number

And it will never be breached by a Seamer

Take a bow#JamesAnderson #ENGvsWI #ECB pic.twitter.com/x8VvA88jFa
— Ambika (@apmahapatra) July 12, 2024

Great career