Subham Poddar
Veteran fast bowler Jimmy Anderson turned back the clock with a mesmerizing display of swing bowling, ripping through the Nottinghamshire batting order to claim a career-best 7 for 35 in the County Championship. This remarkable performance, achieved in his first game back after a four-month absence, left his Australian teammate Nathan Lyon both impressed and surprised by England’s decision to retire him after the upcoming Lord’s Test.
The 41-year-old Anderson, bowling with his trademark control and devilish swing, dismantled Notts’ top order in a single session. The eager crowd at Southport, braving a chilly July day, witnessed a masterclass as Anderson cast a spell over the batsmen. He began with Haseeb Hameed’s unfortunate dismissal, then induced edges from Will Young and Joe Clarke, before Jack Haynes became Josh Bohannon’s prey. The carnage continued with Lyndon James gloving one to the slips, followed by Liam Patterson-White’s dismissal at gully – six wickets in a stunning six-over spell.
Anderson added another wicket after lunch before Tom Bailey got the final one, with Lyon chipping in with a run-out. The highlight of the day, however, was the sight of Anderson and Lyon, boasting a combined Test wicket tally of over 1200, bowling in tandem – a dream come true for many fans.
While Anderson’s brilliance stole the show, other teams also made significant strides in the County Championship. Worcestershire secured their first win of the season with a comeback victory against Durham, while Yorkshire continued their winning ways with an emphatic innings win over Derbyshire. In Division Two, Sussex tightened their grip on a promotion spot with a convincing victory over Northamptonshire, with Ollie Robinson chipping in with a couple of wickets.
