James Anderson became the youngest England bowler to take five wickets on debut as the 20-year-old inspired the home side to an innings and 92-run win over Zimbabwe inside three days at Lord's.
Anderson took 5-73 Saturday to dismiss Zimbabwe for a paltry 147 in front of 20,000 spectators -- the biggest crowd of the rain-hit test. He went wicketless in 15 over in the second innings as the tourists were dismissed for 233.
PHOTO: AFP
Bowling an outstanding line, Anderson bowled four of his five victims after making a nervous start to his first test and conceding 17 runs in the first over.
Anderson's abilty to swing the ball in both directions made him dangerous in overcast conditions that prevailed for the best part of the short test.
He was once again expensive before lunch Saturday, but settling to a good rhythm, the Lancashire paceman terrorized the Zimbabwe lower-order and took four wickets for five runs in the space of 14 balls.
His effort were the best by an England debutant in eight years since Dominic Cork's 7-43 against the West Indies here in 1995.
England skipper Nasser Hussain ensured Anderson's name was immediately amongst the other great England bowling performances on the famous panels of the home locker room.
"We took a bit of tape and put his name on the board at the tea break," Hussain said. "You could see him almost having to double take what's happened in the last few months."
Anderson claimed it was an unbelievable feeling to be part of England's cricket history at Lord's.
"There were a lot of names," he said and only remembered Ian Botham.
Anderson said he didn't get proper sleep on the night before the test and felt nervous.
"I am delighted with my figures," he said. "You couldn't have asked for a better performance in your first test."
Anderson refused to single out particular wicket and said he enjoyed them all.
"The atmosphere was great. There were a lot more people than I expected."
Amongst them were his dad, mom and sister and some friends.
"I think I've set my own standards. I think I have a lot to improve from what I've done in this game."
Nicknamed "Burnley Express" aftere his home town, Anderson has become the new bowling find for England from the time he was forced to patch the depleting bowling stocks due to injuries during the last winter in Australia.
His call up was so sudden, there was no time to put his name on the back of his England one-day shirt when he made his debut at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on December last year.
The two man-of-the match award in the World Cup when he took 4-25 against the Netherlands and 4-29 against Pakistan earned him two gold wrist watches worth 12,000 rand (US$2,000).
His spiky blond highlights and boy-band good looks inspired cover of Manchester lifestyle magazine City Life to ask: "Could he be the new Beckham?"
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