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James Anderson: England bowler produces one of the great overs against India in Chennai

Last updated on .From the section Cricketcomments639

James Anderson
Anderson's first over was a double-wicket maiden

When England cricket fans woke on Tuesday morning, many of them will have been rueing the fact they didn't set their alarm for the start of play at 4am.

If they had, they would have seen arguably one of the greatest overs in modern-day Test cricket during England's famous victory over India in the first Test.

The hosts were going well: chasing a Test record 420 to win the first Test in Chennai, they looked in control.

Shubman Gill raced to 50 not out in eye-catching style while captain Virat Kohli, looking majestic while batting in a cap, was putting the pressure back on the England bowlers.

But cometh the hour, cometh the man. Enter James Anderson, the world's most successful fast bowler in Test cricket.

The 38-year-old produced a stunning display of reverse swing.

He bowled Gill with his second ball, sending the off stump flying into the Chennai dirt with a perfect inswinger.

His fourth ball was a repeat and new batsman Ajinkya Rahane narrowly survived an lbw appeal.

A ball later, Anderson took the umpire out of the equation by bowling the India vice-captain with another inswinger.

India were 92-4, their hopes all but over, and England wrapped up a 227-win in the afternoon session.

Speaking after the match, England captain Joe Root described Anderson as "the GOAT of English cricket".

"At 38 to still be getting better and be as fit as ever is fantastic - he is a great role model," said Root.

"His skill level is as good as anyone you'll ever see."

Anderson was typically understated.

"I didn't really do anything out of the ordinary from the plans we had," he said.

"I just got lucky really with a couple that hit some bare patches, and I had a bit of reverse as well.

"It's always nice to see a stump cartwheeling out the ground, it doesn't happen much at my age so I'm really happy with today."

Was it better than Flintoff's over in 2005? Read on and vote below.

How one of the great overs unfolded

  • Ball one: Full with a hint of reverse swing into Gill who defends.
  • Ball two: Gill's off stump is sent cartwheeling as Anderson finds more reverse swing to sneak the ball between bat and pad.
  • Ball three: New batsman Rahane leaves his first ball - another full delivery outside off stump - alone.
  • Ball four: Huge appeal for lbw as Anderson bowls another vicious inswinger which also keeps low. England review the umpire's not out decision but Rahane narrowly survives.
  • Ball five: The stumps are splattered again. Anderson repeats the previous delivery and the ball beats bat and pad. Vice-captain Rahane is dismissed for a three-ball duck.
  • Ball six: Anderson goes round the wicket and Rishabh Pant defends his first ball.

'One for the ages' - what you said

Flintoff celebrates wicket of Ponting
Anderson's over rivalled one bowled by Andrew Flintoff at Edgbaston in 2005 against Australia as the greatest in recent memory
  • Thomas Watts: This over from Jimmy Anderson is one for the ages. One to say you watched live.
  • Aadam: Oh Jimmy that should be illegal. One of the naughtiest overs you'll ever see.
  • Sam Brookes: This is up there with the Flintoff over to Ponting. Jimmy has the ball on a sixpence!
  • Charlie: Flintoff to Kallis, Flintoff to Ponting. Anderson to Gill and Rahane. Best pace bowler in history.
  • Rob Allen: Oh Jimmy Jimmy!! Simply put: the greatest seam bowler to have lived.
  • Chris: Marrying my wife and waking up in time for that Anderson over are two of the best decisions I've ever made.

Which over was better - Flintoff or Anderson?

"Ponting" was trending on social media on Tuesday with cricket fans comparing Anderson's over to one bowled by Andrew Flintoff to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting during the 2005 Ashes. Vote for whichever you think was best below.

If you are viewing this page on the BBC News app please click here to vote.

'The GOAT' - how the cricket world reacted

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639 comments

  • Comment posted by David, at 08:10 9 Feb 2021

    There are simply no new words to describe this genius. One of the most respected and respectful cricketers on the world stage. Image of the game - Kohli assisting Root with cramp during his double hundred. This match endorses everything about the theatre of sport and sportsmanship itself. In the depths of a pandemic and a bracing winter, it’s warmed my heart.

    • Reply posted by NeilAndy109, at 08:13 9 Feb 2021

      NeilAndy109 replied:
      Totally agree, Test cricket provides something other formats of the game and other sports can’t

  • Comment posted by Hurley Hawk, at 08:12 9 Feb 2021

    Historic win for England! And having it on terrestrial tv has turned my kids from encouraged to enthusiastic cricketers. My 5yo has perfected his straight drive watching his new hero Root!

    It’s tempting to pay to watch in future -but I’d rather pay to go to the grounds & help fund cricket, than help fund the bid of a company to take cricket away from the masses and turn it into a minority sport

    • Reply posted by Sam Brook, at 08:25 9 Feb 2021

      Sam Brook replied:
      Spot on...

  • Comment posted by eminem, at 08:10 9 Feb 2021

    A brilliant win for England but well done to the umpires too and India who play the game in a fair and sportsmanlike way which is a pleasure to see.

    • Reply posted by charleyfarley, at 08:58 9 Feb 2021

      charleyfarley replied:
      Well said. You use the word "sportsmanlike" which reminds us that ALL sport HAS to have this quality in its participants (whatever their gender). Otherwise it is - by definition - not sport.

  • Comment posted by Swanny, at 08:24 9 Feb 2021

    Thank you CH4 for enabling me to see Jimmy the GOAT's super over

    • Reply posted by Simple Simon Met A Pieman, at 08:35 9 Feb 2021

      Simple Simon Met A Pieman replied:
      Thank you CH4 for enabling me to watch the entire match in which England completely bossed. Big 1st innings runs, tactics spot on and as always top class bowling from Anderson and quality bowling from the spinners Leach and Bess.

  • Comment posted by Alex Drakopoulos , at 08:35 9 Feb 2021

    Aussie fan here. Just saw the replay of the entire over. Incredible bowling at it's best. Well done Jimmy. I'd go far as to say no other teams batting during that spell would have survived. Ah if only our boys had done that during our series, But take nothing away, well done ENG worthy winners. They're going to be hard to beat now: early days i know. Momentum is a big thing.

    • Reply posted by Getoutofhere, at 08:38 9 Feb 2021

      Getoutofhere replied:
      Great comment apart from the political reference in your last sentence. Momentum is not a big thing, its a disruptive influence in UK politics.

  • Comment posted by rpb, at 08:13 9 Feb 2021

    You have to feel sorry for the anti England trolls. Every myth they peddle blows up in their face. Anderson/Broad keep taking wickets; Root scores runs and is a successful captain; England continue to win matches. I hope when I discuss non English crickets I behave with a bit more dignity.

    • Reply posted by Sam Brook, at 08:23 9 Feb 2021

      Sam Brook replied:
      Nicely said - and I'm sure you will...

  • Comment posted by NeilAndy109, at 08:10 9 Feb 2021

    Looking forward to hearing from 1) People claiming Jimmy was too old for a sub continent tour 2) People claiming Root can’t captain 3) People moaning about the declaration 4) People claiming India would chase 420. I said they’d be lucky to get 250 last night

    • Reply posted by cynic , at 08:13 9 Feb 2021

      cynic replied:
      We got lucky.

  • Comment posted by Sir Lord Dustbowl Destroyer, at 08:14 9 Feb 2021

    Bit disappointed with India's loss but Jimmy Anderson - Take a bow Legend !! and Congrats England !!

    Redefining longevity of fast bowlers at 38 years in the subcontinent and setting the benchmark for future generations.

    Would be great to see him play till 40 and get to 700 test wickets. Truly deserving!!

    • Reply posted by Getoutofhere, at 08:31 9 Feb 2021

      Getoutofhere replied:
      A fit 40 years old can easily bowl 9 overs in an innings. So as long as England have others bowlers carrying the main burden he can play. Perhaps as a first change bowler?

  • Comment posted by mb018538, at 08:38 9 Feb 2021

    But...but....Anderson can't bowl unless it's cloudy and cool in England. He can't bowl in the subcontinent. Blah blah....simply the best!

    • Reply posted by tc, at 09:34 9 Feb 2021

      tc replied:
      he cant to be fair, his bowling was decent in that spell but the pitch was dead and buried for batsman by day 5..

  • Comment posted by Dennis Spinner, at 07:52 9 Feb 2021

    I think what makes him so special is that his skillset has got better and better with time, and at 38 he genuinely is the best exponent of his craft in the world.

  • Comment posted by Bigrock, at 08:31 9 Feb 2021

    Well it would appear that Joe Root knew exactly how to handle the declaration/lack of.

    • Reply posted by Getoutofhere, at 08:33 9 Feb 2021

      Getoutofhere replied:
      It was a gamble that paid off, but it was a gamble.

  • Comment posted by Khan Uzzaman, at 07:25 9 Feb 2021

    Brilliant Anderson! That's why test cricket is a treat to watch and reason to wake up early morning.

    • Reply posted by duncan brownley, at 07:33 9 Feb 2021

      duncan brownley replied:
      Listen too as well especially when you hear the clatter of the stumps as the get bowled.

  • Comment posted by Perton66, at 08:24 9 Feb 2021

    Anderson is probably the greatest bowler of his type to have played the game. He has thrived in India when other great fast bowlers haven't. Skill and adaptability have been the key. A true master of his craft. One in the eye for Warne et al who were criticising the tactics yesterday. England got it spot on and whilst they may still lose the series they are a strong team

    • Reply posted by PeoplesFrontOfJudea, at 08:33 9 Feb 2021

      PeoplesFrontOfJudea replied:
      Unworthy to carry Warne's bags.

  • Comment posted by wilts123, at 07:49 9 Feb 2021

    Root dreadful captain . Fancy bowling an old man !

    • Reply posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 08:01 9 Feb 2021

      Mr and Mrs Banks replied:
      Winning the toss was his greatest victory in this test!

  • Comment posted by Locker TV, at 08:14 9 Feb 2021

    Very pleased with the number of pundits who have said in recent years Jimmy can’t bowl on the sub-con. He loves to prove people wrong on over the last month, particularly today, he has done that in style.

    • Reply posted by PeoplesFrontOfJudea, at 08:38 9 Feb 2021

      PeoplesFrontOfJudea replied:
      He cant bowl in Australia.

  • Comment posted by BAT-ten down the hatches, at 07:24 9 Feb 2021

    Amazing how Anderson can keep producing the goods at the age of 38.

    • Reply posted by john brendan sullivan, at 12:57 9 Feb 2021

      john brendan sullivan replied:
      well modern sports science helps.That and deep streak of sheer bloody minded determination.

  • Comment posted by Trytastic, at 08:41 9 Feb 2021

    Simply the best swing bowler that has ever played the game. For all those who say he can't take wickets abroad, well go soak your heads. For a seam bowler to take 3 wickets, 2 in an over, with unplayable deliveries on that pitch is nothing short of remarkable.

    Worth waking up for, and absolute thrashing by all accounts. Yes, good toss to win, but everybody contributed

    • Reply posted by tc, at 09:33 9 Feb 2021

      tc replied:
      To be fair mate, you cant say anything about the pitch. If anything the pitch on day 5 was suited to the bowlers, take nothing away from andersons bowling but calm down, Theres no way anderson would have done that on a day 1 pitch in chennai.

  • Comment posted by splendidsparrow, at 08:07 9 Feb 2021

    India have lost the last two Tests that Kohli has been captain.

    Congratulations England.

    Comprehensive win!

    Man of the Match- Captain Root 66.

    • Reply posted by Newbie, at 08:09 9 Feb 2021

      Newbie replied:
      Don't write India off.

  • Comment posted by Norm, at 07:27 9 Feb 2021

    He might be rather difficult to replace when he finally does retire.

    • Reply posted by Golf Love-Hate, at 07:39 9 Feb 2021

      Golf Love-Hate replied:
      Fret not, he is immortal.

      2060 - Steve Smith Junior II is still twitching at the crease as a 77yr old Jimmy Anderson continues to defy logic with a 45 over old cherry, swinging it round corners and making the batsman look like a novice.

      Great is an overrated word but somehow isn't quite enough for Jimmy. Genius!

  • Comment posted by The-Artful-Dodga, at 08:38 9 Feb 2021

    Insomnia has its benefits. Great bowling Jimmy, seeing the off stump cartwheel twice in one over broke the Indiams. World class bowling.

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