Cricket

James Anderson, the legendary English pacer, is bidding farewell to international cricket after over two decades of service. Former England cricketer Mark Butcher recently shared his first impressions of Anderson, who made his debut in 2002.Butcher recalled Anderson's debut Test against Zimbabwe at Lord's in 2003, where the young pacer's spiked hair was the only "loud thing" about him. "Very, very quiet, very, very shy, kept himself to himself," Butcher said.Despite his unassuming demeanor, Anderson's bowling skills were evident from the start. "He bowled some incredible deliveries, turning batters into an S," Butcher said. "We felt as though, wow, you have got a really talented kid here."Butcher noted that Anderson was quicker early in his career, but his skill with the ball has compensated for any loss in pace. "He's still doing it 21 years later, something that nobody would have been able to have predicted," Butcher added.Anderson's remarkable career includes 701 wickets in 187 Test matches, making him the third-highest wicket-taker in the format and the leading fast bowler. He has also taken 269 wickets in 194 ODIs and 18 wickets in 19 T20Is.In the ongoing first Test against West Indies at Lord's, Anderson is playing his final international match. England won the toss and elected to field, with West Indies being bowled out for 121 runs. Anderson took one wicket, while Gus Atkinson claimed a seven-fer.England has since crossed the 300-run mark in their first innings, with a 200-plus run-lead. Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes are currently at the crease.

England Dominate Day 2 of 1st Test Against West Indies, Extend LeadEngland continued their dominance on Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies at Lord's, extending their lead to 244 runs by stumps. Resuming on 189/3, England's Joe Root and Harry Brook put on a solid partnership, adding 102 runs for the fourth wicket.Root, the former England captain, played a patient and composed innings, scoring 56 runs off 123 deliveries. Brook, on the other hand, was more aggressive, hitting 50 runs off just 67 balls. Their partnership helped England consolidate their position and put pressure on the West Indies bowlers.After Root's dismissal, Brook continued to lead the charge, adding another 30 runs before being caught behind off the bowling of Alzarri Joseph. Ben Stokes, the England captain, then joined Jonny Bairstow at the crease and the pair put on a quickfire 40-run partnership.Bairstow was eventually dismissed for 24, but Stokes remained unbeaten on 33, guiding England to a commanding total of 333/6 at the close of play. For West Indies, Joseph was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/64, while Jayden Seales and Kemar Roach claimed two wickets each.Earlier in the day, West Indies resumed their innings on 113/9, with Gus Atkinson needing just one more wicket to complete a seven-wicket haul. Atkinson duly delivered, dismissing Kemar Roach to end the West Indies innings on 121.England's bowlers were in impressive form throughout the first innings, with Atkinson leading the way with his seven-wicket haul. James Anderson and Stuart Broad also chipped in with two wickets each.With a substantial lead in hand, England will be looking to press home their advantage on Day 3 and secure a victory in the first Test. West Indies, on the other hand, will need to find a way to break through England's batting lineup and get back into the match.

James Anderson, the legendary English fast bowler, is set to retire from international cricket after the fifth Test against India at Lord's. The 40-year-old has been a mainstay of the England team for over two decades, taking a record 700 Test wickets.Anderson's career has been marked by his exceptional skill and longevity. He has the ability to swing the ball both ways at high speeds, making him a formidable threat to batsmen. He has also been a master of reverse swing, a technique that allows him to make the ball swing in the opposite direction of its natural swing.Anderson's most memorable moments include dismissing Michael Clarke with a perfect yorker at Lord's in 2015, and VVS Laxman with a devastating inswinger at The Oval in 2011. He also played a key role in England's famous victory over India at Eden Gardens in 2012, taking five wickets in the first innings.Despite his age, Anderson has remained in excellent physical condition and has continued to perform at the highest level. However, the England management has decided that it is time for him to retire, in order to give younger bowlers a chance to establish themselves.Anderson has expressed his disappointment at being forced to retire, but he understands the decision. He is now looking forward to mentoring the next generation of England bowlers and helping them to achieve success.Anderson's retirement marks the end of an era for English cricket. He has been one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, and his legacy will live on for many years to come.

James Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, is set to bid farewell to international cricket in the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's, starting on Wednesday. The match will mark Anderson's 188th and final Test, after which he will transition into England's fast-bowling mentor.Anderson's retirement comes after a distinguished 21-year Test career, during which he has taken 700 wickets, making him the first seamer in history to reach this milestone. Despite being 42 years old, Anderson remains one of the most potent bowlers in the world, as evidenced by his impressive performance in India earlier this year, where he took 10 wickets at an average of 33.50.However, England's managing director Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum, and captain Ben Stokes decided to pension off Anderson, believing that it was time for a new generation of fast bowlers to take over. Anderson was informed of their decision in April, a month after his return from India.Despite the disappointment of being forced into retirement, Anderson has accepted the decision with grace. He understands the need for England to plan for the future, especially with the 2025-26 Ashes in Australia on the horizon.Anderson warmed up for his final Test with a brilliant performance for Lancashire in the English County Championship last week, taking 7-35. He will be hoping to end his Test career on a high note at Lord's, where he made his Test debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe.The first Test against the West Indies will also see the debuts of Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith. Both players have represented England in white-ball cricket, with Atkinson playing in the ODI World Cup last year. Smith replaces Jonny Bairstow, who has been dropped after 100 Tests.Spinner Jack Leach has also made way for Shoaib Bashir to make his home Test debut after taking 17 wickets in India. Chris Woakes returns for his first Test since he was the player of the series in the Ashes last summer.The West Indies, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their 10-wicket thrashing in Adelaide in their last Test against Australia. They have recalled all-rounder Jason Holder and fast bowler Jayden Seales, while opening batter Mikyle Louis will become the first man from St. Kitts and Nevis to play a Test.In the absence of the injured Kemar Roach, Alzarri Joseph will lead the pace attack with Seales and Shamar Joseph, who played a pivotal role in the West Indies' extraordinary eight-run victory over Australia in Brisbane in January.Anderson, who has been described as "perfect" as a Test player by Shamar Joseph, is determined to make his last Test a memorable one. However, he is also aware of the emotions that will be swirling around him during the match."I'm sure the emotions during the week will change, but right now that's what I’m trying to focus on to stop myself crying," Anderson said.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite is drawing inspiration from his team's stunning victory over Australia in Brisbane as they prepare for the first Test against England at Lord's. Despite their inexperience, Brathwaite believes his team can overcome the odds once again.In January, West Indies defied all expectations by defeating Australia in Brisbane, a venue where the hosts had lost only once in 34 Tests. Key contributions from Kavem Hodge, Joshua da Silva, Kevin Sinclair, Alick Athanaze, and Kirk McKenzie, along with Shamar Joseph's match-winning bowling performance, secured the historic eight-run win.Now, West Indies face another tough challenge in England, where they haven't won a series since 1988. Only three players in their squad - Brathwaite, Jason Holder, and Alzarri Joseph - have prior experience at Lord's. However, Brathwaite is confident that his team can replicate their Brisbane success."It was a big positive for us to get a win, because it shows that we could we could get the job done," Brathwaite said. "We could take a lot of stuff from that game as batsmen, because we had some important partnerships. Then the bowlers were outstanding."Brathwaite confirmed his XI on the eve of the Test, with Mikyle Louis set to make history as the first player from St Kitts to represent West Indies. The middle-order is also relatively inexperienced, but Brathwaite believes they are ready for the challenge."I think they're young and exciting," he said. "They have a lot of talent and we are fully 100% behind them."Brathwaite's experience will be crucial, especially against England's aggressive "Bazball" approach. However, he insists that he will not be rushed into changing his style."My general style is taking my time, and that's me," he said. "All the batters must bat their game, and back their plan. That's what we will do, we focus on ourselves. Making sure we fight is very important."Brathwaite also acknowledged the skills of James Anderson, who will be playing his final Test at Lord's."Obviously he's a legend of the game, he's very consistent," Brathwaite said. "Facing him in England is a good challenge, you've really got to be on it."Brathwaite's advice to his teammates is to trust their plans and enjoy the experience."Don't just expect to play for West Indies, expect to be the first to score 30 hundreds," he said. "You got to think big, you know. Don't think too small."

India's Historic Test Debut: A Journey into the Annals of CricketOn June 25, 1932, the Indian cricket team embarked on a momentous journey, making their Test debut against England at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. This historic match marked a watershed moment in Indian cricket, paving the way for the nation's rise as a formidable force in the sport.The Indian team, led by the legendary C.K. Nayudu, faced a formidable English side captained by Douglas Jardine. Despite the odds stacked against them, the Indian players displayed unwavering determination and resilience.The match was a hard-fought battle, with both teams showcasing their skills and tenacity. India's batting lineup, featuring the likes of Nazir Ali, Wazir Ali, and S.H. M. Colah, put up a valiant fight against England's formidable bowling attack. However, the English bowlers, led by Bill Bowes, proved too strong, dismissing India for 189 in their first innings.In response, England amassed a formidable 454 runs, with Walter Hammond scoring a magnificent century. India's bowlers, including Mohammad Nissar and Amar Singh, fought back valiantly, but the English batsmen proved too dominant.In their second innings, India showed great resilience, scoring 275 runs. Nayudu led the charge with a gritty 81, while Nazir Ali and Wazir Ali also made valuable contributions. However, it was not enough to overcome England's lead, and India went down by 158 runs.Despite the defeat, India's performance in their first Test match was a testament to their talent and determination. The team's fighting spirit and unwavering belief in their abilities laid the foundation for India's future success in international cricket.The match also marked the beginning of a fierce rivalry between India and England, which has continued to captivate cricket fans around the world. The Lord's Test of 1932 remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a pivotal moment in the development of the sport in India.

Middlesex's Ryan Higgins once again proved his worth as the hosts rallied from early setbacks to post a formidable 342 for 7 against Derbyshire on day one at Lord's. The Zimbabwean-born all-rounder notched his fourth century of the season, reaching his milestone with a majestic six into the Mound Stand.Higgins' innings, coupled with Seaxes skipper Toby Roland-Jones' unbeaten 51, rewrote the record books. Their unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 112 eclipsed the previous record of 95 set by Wilf Slack and Colin Metson in 1981.Derbyshire's bowlers, led by spinner Alex Thomson (2 for 43), had initially put Middlesex under pressure. Zak Chappell struck in the first over, removing Sam Robson for a duck. Mark Stoneman and Max Holden also faced testing moments, with Holden eventually falling to Aneurin Donald at slip.Leus du Plooy and Higgins steadied the innings, but Thomson dismissed both batters before tea. Nathan Fernandes and Jack Davies also departed cheaply, leaving Middlesex in a precarious position at 189 for 6.However, Higgins found his rhythm and began to take risks. He survived two dropped catches and rode his luck to reach his century. Roland-Jones, too, played a crucial role, hitting two sixes over the short boundary into the Mound Stand.The late flurry of runs proved harsh on Derbyshire, who had bowled well for much of the day. Middlesex's decision to bat first, initially met with applause, proved to be a wise one as the wicket played well throughout the day.

Glamorgan emerged victorious in their first-ever T20 encounter at Lord's, defeating Middlesex by three wickets. Sam Northeast, who had previously scored a record 335 in the County Championship at the hallowed ground, once again proved his mettle with a 67-run knock.Northeast's innings, which included eight fours and a six, was complemented by Kiran Carlson's blistering 54 off just 21 balls, featuring five maximums. The visitors chased down the target of 174 with 10 balls to spare, despite Henry Brookes' three-wicket haul for Middlesex.Earlier, Middlesex had gotten off to a strong start thanks to Martin Andersson's 57 and Stephen Eskinazi's 48. The opening pair shared a 108-run stand, but Mason Crane's three wickets and Timm Van der Gugten's triple-wicket maiden derailed their innings.Van der Gugten's triple-wicket maiden, which included the dismissals of Luke Hollman, Tom Helm, and Brookes, left Middlesex reeling at 173 all out.In Glamorgan's reply, Noah Cornwell dismissed Eddie Byrom early, but Carlson's aggressive batting kept the visitors in the hunt. Carlson struck three sixes in quick succession, reaching his half-century in just 21 balls.After Carlson's dismissal, Northeast and Cooke steadied the innings, with Northeast reaching his fifty off 38 balls. Despite losing both Northeast and Cooke towards the end, Glamorgan held on to secure the victory.

Middlesex and Sussex, two of the frontrunners in the Vitality County Championship Division Two, played out a thrilling draw at Lord's. The match was a testament to the resilience and skill of both teams, with Middlesex posting a mammoth 613 for 9 declared in response to Sussex's 554 for 9 declared.Middlesex's batting performance was led by Nick Robson, who scored a brilliant 136, and Max Higgins, who contributed a valuable 106. Nathan Fernandes narrowly missed out on a century, falling nine runs short, while Jack Davies struck a career-best 68 and Henry Brookes registered his first half-century as a Middlesex player.Sussex's bowling attack was led by Jack Carson, who took 4 for 166. However, the Middlesex batsmen were able to withstand the pressure and build partnerships throughout the innings.Sussex's batting performance was anchored by John Simpson, who scored a magnificent 167, and Cheteshwar Pujara, who contributed a solid 129. The Sussex batsmen were able to build a strong foundation, which allowed them to declare their innings and set Middlesex a challenging target.The match ultimately ended in a draw, with both teams sharing the spoils. Sussex maintained their eight-point lead at the top of the table, while Middlesex remained in second place.