The first Test between England and the West Indies is underway at Lord’s, with a bittersweet atmosphere surrounding the occasion. This is the final Test for veteran English seamer James Anderson, marking a significant moment in cricketing history. England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that paid immediate dividends. They made a dream start, claiming three early wickets to put the Windies batsmen on the back foot.
Debutant fast bowler Gus Atkinson impressed, grabbing two wickets, while Stokes himself bagged one. Ben Stokes’ dismissal of the other debutant, Mikyle Louis, proved to be a particularly exhilarating moment. The ball pitched on off-stump and angled in, deceiving Louis. It nicked the outside edge of his bat, and a stunning one-handed catch at third slip by Harry Brook sent Louis packing for 27.
Ben Stokes’ reaction was priceless, a mix of disbelief and elation at the brilliance of the catch. Nasser Hussain, the commentator, called it a magnificent grab, with replays confirming a clean catch. Louis himself accepted his dismissal without hesitation.
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All eyes are also on James Anderson, playing his 188th and final Test match. While he hasn’t picked up a wicket yet, he sits tantalizingly close to some incredible milestones. He needs just 13 wickets to reach 1000 in international cricket, and a further nine to surpass Shane Warne and claim the second spot on the all-time wicket-takers list, behind only Muttiah Muralitharan.
One of the best slip catches you will EVER see from Harry Brook! 😱
That reaction from Ben Stokes though… 🤣 #EnglandCricket | #ENGvWI pic.twitter.com/0MQwMVDH4H
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 10, 2024
Louis’ dismissal was crucial for England considering his recent prolific form in first-class cricket. He had amassed 682 runs in seven matches with a healthy average and strike rate. Getting him out early was a significant blow to the West Indies’ batting plans.
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Speaking after the toss win, Stokes expressed his excitement about giving opportunities to new players like Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith. He emphasized the team’s desire to constantly progress and improve, and his own ambition to push the team forward, both on and off the field.
The match is poised for an intriguing battle with England in control after a strong start. Whether Anderson can add another chapter to his glorious career by reaching those bowling milestones will be another point of focus.
