James Anderson took career-best figures at the age of 35 as England clinched victory in the third Test against West Indies and a second straight series win at home.
England's final Test before The Ashes in Australia at the end of the year produced positive signs beyond just the nine-wicket win, which was claimed on a difficult Lord's pitch that made the series-decider something of a lottery for the first two days.
On day three, ultimately the final day, England took control through Anderson's 7-42, the best innings return for the veteran seamer in his 129th Test.
Anderson proved there's still life in his right arm, and overs in his legs, and England was further boosted by new batsmen Tom Westley and Mark Stoneman - yet to establish themselves in the top order - taking England to victory with a mature and unbroken 72-run partnership at the end.
England knocked off the 107 it needed in the second innings before tea for the loss of just Alastair Cook. Westley finished 44 not out and Stoneman 40 not out.
England emerged victorious in a bowler-dominated game where neither team reached 200 in any innings, although England wasn't really tested in its second dig.
Anderson, who became the first Englishman to take 500 Test wickets on Friday, underlined his lasting value on Saturday. He took the first two West Indies wickets on the day, the last one, and the most important one.
That telling blow came straight after lunch when Anderson got Shai Hope for 62 with a superb outswinger for his fifth wicket.
That removed West Indies' highest scorer and best batsman of the series, and the tourists' last four wickets fell for 22 runs in six overs to be out for 177 in their second innings.
"To share the moment with guys I have played 100 tests with is very special," Anderson said.
"We set a target of not going for many runs this morning and we are just delighted with the result."
In his first summer in charge, Joe Root led England to two series wins from two.
Share
