Anderson shines on Test return – but only after bout of nerves

Despite being the only seamer in cricket history with 600 Test wickets to his name, James Anderson confessed to a minor bout of nerves before again delivering his brilliant best for England in Galle yesterday.

Anderson reached that remarkable landmark against Pakistan on August 25, but has not played competitively since and sat out the first Test against Sri Lanka as Stuart Broad led the attack.

The combination of a five-month intermission and replacing Broad in the only change to a winning team left Anderson with a few butterflies that belied his status as the most prolific seam bowler in the history of the game.

He need not have worried, though, as he tested the home batsmen with trademark precision on his way to figures of three for 24 from 19 overs. On a largely docile pitch that saw Sri Lanka finish on 229 for four as Angelo Mathews compiled an unbeaten century, the rest of the attack contributed one for 205.

“I was pretty nervous this morning – more so than usual,” he told BBC Radio’s Test Match Special at the close.

“It’s a weird situation to be in, I haven’t played for a while and then coming in for Broady, who did really well in the first game. Luckily I slotted straight back in.

“The work I put in behind the scenes in the first game has paid off and I felt in really good rhythm from ball one and that really helped. It was nice to get a couple of early wickets... it does help settle the nerves.”

James Anderson took three wickets on Test return.