On this day in 2003 – James Anderson takes five on England Test debut at Lord’s

James Anderson marked his England Test debut with a five-wicket haul as the hosts skittled Zimbabwe at Lord’s on this day in 2003.
Just over a year after making his championship debut for Lancashire against Surrey at Old Trafford, the 20-year-old Anderson became the first England bowler to take five wickets on his maiden Test appearance since Dominic Cork eight years previously.
His performance ensured Zimbabwe were dismissed for 147 and, after following on 325 runs adrift, were bowled out for a second time for 223 to suffer a comprehensive defeat by an innings and 92 runs.

Anderson, who did not add to his match tally in the second innings, claimed four wickets for five runs in 14 balls to prompt a first-innings Zimbabwe collapse of eight wickets for 68 runs, establishing himself as England’s new young star.
The Burnley seamer had made his mark on international cricket over the winter by emerging from the academy side to join England’s one-day squad before some promising showings at the World Cup in South Africa.
Anderson said of his breakthrough: “It is incredible the speed it has gone, it is amazing.
🗓️ TWENTY years ago today…
Jimmy Anderson made his Test debut! 🤯🤯🤯
685 wickets and counting 🔢#OnThisDay | @jimmy9 pic.twitter.com/KZzfjFCBzH
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) May 22, 2023
“I am absolutely delighted with the way I bowled in that spell. But it was a great team effort by Harmy (Steve Harmison) and Matthew Hoggard backing me up, Mark Butcher and Anthony McGrath as well.
“I was a bit disappointed in the areas where it didn’t come out quite right and I was a bit nervous as well.
“I have seen players up there (on the honours board) from the 1800s and I am honoured to have my name up already.”
Anderson has since established himself as one of the sport’s best-ever bowlers.
The 40-year-old is currently third on the all-time list of wicket-takers with 685 Test scalps, behind only Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800), and will hope to add to his tally during this summer’s Ashes.
Latest
-
County Cricket
Middlesex relegated from Division One as Kent survive on dramatic final day
Middlesex fell just short of the victory they needed at Nottinghamshire to stay up instead of Kent.
-
India
England captain Jos Buttler believes India are favourites for World Cup
The last three editions of the Cricket World Cup – India in 2011, Australia in 2015 and England in 2019 – have been won by the host nation.
-
County Cricket
Surrey retain County Championship title after Essex batting collapse
The holders have been crowned champions for the 21st time.
-
County Cricket
Geoffrey Boycott: Everybody in Newcastle hates Mike Ashley amid Headingley links
The PA news agency understands the Frasers Group, where Ashley is chief executive, is one of the parties interested in purchasing Headingley.
-
County Cricket
Essex’s slim hopes of winning County Championship dented by Northamptonshire
Essex need at least 400 to have any chance of claiming top spot.
-
England
Matthew Mott: Jofra Archer ‘desperate to play but realistic’ ahead of World Cup
The 28-year-old is not expected to be ready to return to action until the tournament is close to a conclusion.
-
County Cricket
Umpire Sue Redfern makes history in County Championship match at Glamorgan
Redfern became the first woman to stand as an umpire in a men’s first-class match in England and Wales.
-
England
England’s summer ends in soggy fashion and prompts a call for innovation
The one-day international against Ireland at Bristol was abandoned.
-
England
England win ODI series against Ireland after play is abandoned at Bristol
Ben Duckett had scored a century and Phil Salt 61 off just 28 balls before rain stopped play.