James Anderson claimed his 650th Test wicket as England reduced New Zealand to 27-1 in their second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the second Test.
Anderson was gifted his historic wicket as New Zealand opener Tom Latham released a straight delivery that hit his stumps.
The 39-year-old pacer is the third man after Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan to reach the milestone.
Anderson’s milestone came just a few months after he admitted that he was “praying” his international career was not over after the decision to drop him for the tour of the West Indies.
Reinstated in the squad by new captain Ben Stokes, Anderson looks as good as ever and his experience will be crucial if England are to win their first Test series after January 2021.
England are locked in an interesting battle with New Zealand after being bowled out for 539 in Monday morning’s session at Trent Bridge.
Joe Root scored a superb 176 and Ben Fox played a lively 56 to ensure that New Zealand took only a 14-run lead after posting a total of 553 in their first innings.
New Zealand’s cautious start in the second innings took them 41 runs ahead of England, with Will Young scoring six not out and Devon Conway scoring 17 not out.
The tense final over before lunch was a huge contract for the race’s spree before that.
After Root’s fastest Test century and Ollie Pope’s 145, England had scored 383 runs on Sunday, starting the fourth day at 473-5.
Root resumed on 163 and Fox on 24, while New Zealand suffered a blow when Kyle Jamieson was ruled out on day four while the pacer awaits scan results on Sunday’s back injury.
Fox attacked Tim Southee in the first over of the day, hitting two fours as the bewildered pacer was plundered for 12 runs.
This blistering start was in line with new coach Brendon McCullum’s desire to play aggressively for England all the time.
(with agencies)
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