England secure series with Anderson at brilliant best

With James Anderson as good as he’s ever been, England clinched the third test against West Indies yesterday and a second straight series win at home, a promising final preparation for a bigger assignment — the Ashes in Australia.

England’s last test before the trip Down Under at the end of the year produced positive signs against the West Indies beyond just the ninewicket win, which was claimed on a difficult Lord’s pitch that made the series-decider something of a lottery for the first two days.

West Indies were bowled out first for 123, then England for 194 to start the test.

On day three, ultimately the final day, England took control through Anderson’s seven for 42, the best innings return for the veteran seamer in his 129th test.

Anderson proved there’s still life and swing in his right arm, and overs in his legs at age 35, and England were further boosted by new batsmen Tom Westley and Mark Stoneman. They are yet to fully establish themselves in the top order but took the team to victory with a mature and unbroken 72-run partnership at the end.

England knocked off the 107 they needed in the second innings before tea for the loss of just Alastair Cook. Westley finished 44 not out and Stoneman 40 not out, good news for England in the one area they have struggled with all summer.

The top order beyond captain Joe Root and former skipper Cook has been found wanting, but Stoneman and an attack-minded Westley, who cracked seven fours, provided fragments of evidence that they might be the right choices to open and bat at No 3 in Australia.

Against West Indies, England emerged victorious in a bowlerdominated game on a bowlerfriendly strip where neither team reached 200 in any innings, although England were not really tested in their second innings.

Anderson, the first Englishman to 500 test wickets, underlined his lasting value. He took the first two West Indies wickets on the day, the last one, and the most important one.

That telling blow came straight after lunch when Anderson got Shai Hope for 62 with a superb outswinger for his fifth wicket.

That removed West Indies’ highest scorer and best batsman of the series. The tourists’ last four wickets fell for 22 runs in six overs to be out for 177 in their second innings.

“This week will live with me for a long time,” Anderson said.

“I’m delighted with what achieved.” I’ve