Jimmy Anderson leads an English fightback before lunch.
Jimmy Anderson has claimed his 13th five-wicket haul in his Test career to lead a fightback for England in their Test match against New Zealand at Lords.
The pace spearhead finished with figures of 5-47 off 24 with 11 maidens while Steve Finn also stepped up to the standard required on day three and finished the innings with 4-63.
Due to England’s withering pace attack the New Zealand lower-order offered little resistance with only BJ Watling really troubling the scorers.
Anderson picked up where he left off from on day two when he got rid of danger-man Brendon McCullum in the first over for just two.
Kane Williamson was next to go for 60, after he edged a shot down the leg-side to see Matt Prior take an easy chance for make it 155-5.
Another 22 runs were added for the next wicket before Finn got the wicket of Tim Southee who smashed the ball around for 12 off nine balls, before edging to Joe Root at cover.
The Kiwis continued to crumble as Anderson bowled Bruce Martin with an excellent delivery as the visitors fell to be 194-7.
Watling then feathered an edge to Prior of the bowling of Finn much to the delight of the home side as they sensed a chance to earn a first innings lead.
Finn then completed the innings when a short-ball caught Trent Boult on the hop, and he could only spoon an easy catch to Anderson in the gully.
Playing with an unexpected lead of 25 runs, England were forced to play through a tricky period of two overs before the break.
And the fears of an early wicket almost materialised when New Zealand reviewed a not out decision for caught behind from the the bat of Alastair Cook.
While the decision stayed with the umpire’s call of not out, replays on television showed the thinnest of edges as England got to the break 37 runs in front.
COMMENTS