Top 10 Unforgettable Tests of James Anderson at Old Trafford

The fourth Test of the Ashes 2023 is being played at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground. After the victory in the third Test, England brought James Anderson back into the playing XI, replacing Ollie Robinson. Anderson, who is the local boy, is expected to regain his form in the crucial contest in Manchester.

In his vast 20-year Test career, Anderson has picked up 37 wickets in 21 innings of 11 matches at Old Trafford, with the best bowling innings of 4/38. With England trailing by 1-2 against their arch-rivals, Anderson will have to step up and deliver impactful bowling figures to his side with his spunk and skills. In the past, Anderson put up excellent bowling performances for the English side at Old Trafford in the longest format of the sport.

Here’s the performance of James Anderson in his 10 Old Trafford Tests

10. West Indies (2004)

In 2004, the West Indies toured England for four Tests and the hosts whitewashed the Caribbeans by 4-0. After the victory in the first two Tests, both sides met each other at Old Trafford in the third Test. The Windies skipper Brian Lara won the toss in the match and put his team to bat first. 

Riding on some fine batting efforts of Shivnarine Chanderpaul (76), Dwayne Bravo (77), and Carlton Baugh (68), the visitors posted 395 runs on the board. Anderson, who had played just nine Tests, was also a part of England’s playing XI as the fourth pacer. In the first innings, the 22-year-old Anderson picked up the important wicket of Carlton Baugh to fold the Windies’ innings under 400. 

The Michael Vaughan-led side won the game comfortably with seven wickets in hand and Graham Thorpe, who notched 114 in the first innings received the Player of the Match award. In his team’s enormous triumph, Anderson could contribute only one wicket.