Best of James Anderson at Old Trafford

The Old Trafford Cricket Ground is hosting the fourth Test of the Ashes 2023. Following the third Test triumph, England reinstated James Anderson into the starting XI, replacing Ollie Robinson. Anderson, a local, is expected to rediscover form in the key match in Manchester.

Anderson has 37 wickets in 21 innings in 11 matches at Old Trafford in his 20-year Test career, with the highest bowling innings of 4/38. With England behind by 1-2 against their archrivals, Anderson will have to step up and provide his team with devastating bowling numbers using his tenacity and talents. Anderson has previously had outstanding bowling efforts for the English team at Old Trafford.

Here are best performance of James Anderson at Old Trafford:

Table of Contents

1. West indies 2004

When the West Indies played four Test matches in England in 2004, the visitors were thoroughly defeated 4-0. Both teams faced off against one another at Old Trafford for the third Test after winning the first two. Brian Lara, the captain of the Windies, called the toss and elected to have his side bat first.

The visitors scored 395 runs on the board because to some excellent batting performances from Shivnarine Chanderpaul (76), Dwayne Bravo (77), and Carlton Baugh (68). The fourth pacer for England was Anderson, who had only been in nine Test matches. The 22-year-old Anderson took the crucial wicket of Carlton Baugh in the first innings, bringing the Windies’ total score under 400.

With seven wickets remaining, the Michael Vaughan-led team easily won the match. Graham Thorpe, who scored 114 in the first innings, was named Player of the Match. Anderson was only able to add one wicket to his team’s big victory.

2. Bangladesh 2010

Following their eight-wicket triumph at Lord’s, England faced up against Bangladesh in the second Test at Old Trafford in 2010. England scored 419 runs when batting first after winning the toss. Ian Bell and Matt Prior both contributed with scores of 128 and 93 to assist their team significantly increase their score.

England removed Bangladesh on 216 and grabbed a 203-run advantage while defending the total. Only Tamim Iqbal, a boxer from Bangladesh, managed a 108-run knock. The southpaw established a 126-run partnership with his opening partner Imrul Kayes. Iqbal’s wicket was taken by James Anderson, who was leading England’s bowling attack.

Andrew Strauss, the captain of England, compelled the follow-on with the commanding lead. This time, on the second ball of Bangladesh’s second innings, Anderson once more pursued Iqbal who was on two. Anderson also fired Zunaed Siddique and Mohammad Ashraful after Iqbal was eliminated. Anderson took four wickets in England’s victory, which they won by an innings and 80 runs.

3. New Zealand 2008

In 2008, England played host to New Zealand for three Tests, one T20 International, and five One-Day Internationals (ODI). After the first Test ended in a tie, England put up an incredible performance against the Black Caps and won by six wickets in Manchester.

New Zealand decided to bat first after winning the toss in the match. In the first innings, Ross Taylor scored an undefeated 154 to assist New Zealand score 381 runs. Anderson took four wickets, making him England’s top wicket-taker overall.

In retaliation to New Zealand, England’s hitters had a terrible first inning and were run out for 202. Anderson, though, guided England’s bowlers as they bowled out New Zealand for 114. Aaron Redmond, a product of Anderson, was the initial breakthrough. The speedster was instrumental in England’s convincing victory, taking five wickets.

4. Australia 2013

The 2013 Ashes were held in England, where the hosts took advantage of playing at home by winning the first two matches. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first in the third Test in Manchester. James Anderson’s debut innings against the elite Australian team ended with him going wicketless. Australia scored 527/7 with a self-assured performance and captain Michael Clarke’s 187 runs.

Using Alastair Cook’s 62, Kevin Pietersen’s 113, and Ian Bell’s 60 as their sole scorers in the first innings, England could only muster 368 runs in response. Australia took the lead in the second inning with a 159-run advantage. In contrast to the first innings, Anderson was successful in taking a few victims this time.

In his eight-over performance during the second innings, the seasoned bowler got rid of Mitchell Starc and Australian wicketkeeper Brad Haddin. Australia handed the hosts a target of 332 after declaring their innings at 172. The Test match ended in a tie, and Australian captain Michael Clarke was named Player of the Match for his amazing 187-run first innings.

5. Pakistan 2016

In 2016, Pakistan played four Tests, five ODIs, and a T20I tour of England. Misbah-ul-Haq’s team won the first Test at Lord’s by 75 runs. England staged a comeback in the competition after losing the opening game, defeating the visitors at Old Trafford by a large score of 330 runs.

England chose to bat first after winning the toss in the second game. Alastair Cook, the captain, and Joe Root shone out in the vital match, each contributing 105 and 254 to the team’s enormous first-inning tally of 589/8. The bowlers for England confidently held off Pakistan, who had a total of 198. In the innings, Shan Masood was dismissed by Anderson, the spearhead of England’s speed attack.

Despite having a 391-run advantage, England declined to make the follow-on mandatory. England scored 173 runs in the second innings and set Pakistan 565 runs as their goal. Anderson attacked the visitors hard while defending the total, removing Shan Masood and Azhar Ali early. In his 16-over session, the bowler picked up Asad Shafiq as the final man and finished with three wickets in the second innings.

6. India 2011

India visited England in 2011 for a five-match Test series against the Alastair Cook-captained English squad. With each club winning one game, the series was even after three games. England defeated the visitors by 266 runs in the third Test, and the hosts looked to carry on their aggressive style of play in the fourth Test.

The toss was won by MS Dhoni of India, who elected to have his side bat first. Together with Stuart Broad, James Anderson had a hot hand with the ball as they bowled India out for 152. Anderson bowled three Indian batters—Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja—for ducks while Broad claimed six wickets in the innings.

England’s hitters showed confidence after eliminating India for a modest total by scoring 367 runs in the first innings. With a 215-run advantage, England’s bowlers rode high on confidence and stopped India’s second innings at 161. Anderson defeated Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir this time.