England dominant victory over West Indies innings and 114 runs in the first Test

2024.07.13

James Anderson bid farewell to his illustrious Test career with a spectacular win.

At Lord’s Cricket Ground, England’s seasoned seamer James Anderson said goodbye to an incredible Test career with a brilliant display against the West Indies. After more than two decades and over 188 Test matches, England’s commanding victory over the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs, which concluded the first Test match in just two days and a session, was Anderson’s final Test.

Anderson took four wickets in his final outing, including a vital three-wicket haul. Anderson was a key player in the game. Gus Atkinson made an incredible Test debut, claiming a match-high 12 wickets (seven in the first innings and five in the second), to go along with his efforts. With their potent bowling combination, Anderson and Atkinson destroyed the West Indies batting order.

When England bowled brilliantly in the first innings, limiting the West Indies to only 121 runs in two hours, they established their supremacy. With seven wickets for forty-five runs, Atkinson’s outstanding display with the ball set the tone for England’s dominant position in the game. England, in response, built a large first-innings total supported by five half-centuries, including 70 from rookie Jamie Smith and 76 from opener Zak Crawley. Entering the second innings, England positioned themselves for success with a dominating lead of 250 runs.

By day two, England had reduced the West Indies to six wickets for less than eighty runs, demonstrating their sustained dominance in the second innings. By reaching the landmark of 6000 runs and 200 Test wickets, captain Ben Stokes solidified his reputation as an outstanding all-rounder. Stokes delivered two important wickets.

After collecting three wickets on the third day, Anderson continued his gallant farewell, and Atkinson ended the West Indies innings by hitting the final three batsmen. Gudakesh Motie played a brilliant innings of thirty runs, but the West Indies could not hold on and lost to England by an innings and 114 runs.

Anderson concludes his Test career with 704 wickets, just four behind the late Shane Warne, marking the highest tally by any fast bowler in the history of the game. His mastery of swing and seam bowling, coupled with his longevity and consistency, solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers to have graced the sport.