
England’s fast bowler James Anderson inspired his team to a memorable nine-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second Test which ended at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada last Saturday to lead the three-match series 1-0.
Anderson claimed six wickets in the match to climb three places in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings. He is now placed second alongside Australia’s pacer Ryan Harris. South Africa’s fast bowler Dale Steyn is ranked number one.
Anderson, the 32-year-old who plays for Lancashire in the English county league, surpassed Ian Botham as England’s highest Test wicket-taker with his 383 dismissal in the second Test last week against the West Indies, played in Antigua.
The ratings points of the top five bowlers in the Reliance ICC Test Rankings are: Dale Steyn 905; James Anderson 826; Ryan Harris 826; Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka 807 and Mitchell Johnson of Australia on 804 points.
Final scores in the second Test match: West Indies sent in to bat scored 299 all out in 104.4 overs with Marlon Samuels topscoring with 103; Darren Bravo chipped in 35; skipper Denesh Ramdin made 31 and Devendra Bishoo scored 30. Stuart Broad took four for 61 and James Anderson and Chris Jordon took two wickets each.
England in reply scored 464 all out in 144.1 overs with Joe Root undefeated on 182, Gary Balance made 77; Skipper Alastair Cook scored 76 and Jonathan Trott made 59. D.Bishoo took four for 177 and Shanon Gabriel two for 67.
West Indies in their second innings were all out for 307 in 112 overs with opener Kraigg Brathwaite scoring 116. D. Bravo made 69; M. Samuels 37 and D. Ramdin 28, the principal scores. J.Anderson took four for 43 and Moeen Ali three for 51.
England needed just 144 for victory which they achieved quite comfortably, losing only one wicket in their 41.1 overs.
Player of the Match was awarded to Joe Root of England.
The third and final Test starts Friday (May 1-5) at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados.