Lancashire force follow-on thanks to Anderson’s bowling heroics

England’s Jimmy Anderson won 7-35 to force visiting Nottinghamshire into a thrilling day of cricket in Southport.

Lancashire 353 for Dec 9 (Jennings 187, James 4-61) lead Nottinghamshire 126 and 84 for 2 following (Hameed 41, Lyon 2-23) with 143 runs

Today was Jimmy Anderson’s day, after a disappointing day of rain-delayed play. The England legend thrashed Nottinghamshire’s top and middle orders, leaving the visitors at 40/6 at one point in their first innings.

With Nathan Lyon, an unlikely ally, at his side, Jimmy needed a few overs to get going, but eventually Nottinghamshire captain and former England team-mate Haseeb Hameed was bowled, marking the beginning of a special period.

The soon-to-retired swing bowling legend appeared to be in the form of his life. The Southport pitch provided extra bounce and Anderson had perfect conditions thanks to the overcast. As a result, he recorded the second-best bowling figures of his 297-match first-class career.

The local crowd gathered in awe and took their seats on the exam hall-style chairs that lined the border. Legend has it that the visitors managed to slip no fewer than five times, at one point getting numbers from 5 to 13.

With all the madness going on with Anderson, it was hard to stay focused on the match situation. It looked certain that Lancashire would have Nottinghamshire out before they reached 100, but after Jimmy’s second spell, which lasted six overs, the tenth wicket partnership of Paterson and Slater began to strike out.

With a combined 42 points, the two limited the depth of the hole their team found themselves in, while losing a ball in an adjacent garden after Nottinghamshire’s number 11 hit a six from George Balderson.

The inning ended on an impressive direct hit by Nathan Lyon, putting the visitors behind by 227 runs.

The second innings saw the two Trent Bridge-based openers return to the crease and calmly form a partnership in the face of tired bowlers. These included Lancashire’s Tom Bailey, the only other wicket-taker of the first innings, who took two for two from Nottinghamshire’s tail.

After tea Lancashire went out to pick up some wickets and it was Australian Nathan Lyon, playing in his final match for the club, who got the seemingly unshakeable Ben Slater out LBW just as the opening pair had got going.

“He’s class, he’s world class”

It was Jimmy’s morning and Gary’s evening: Nathan Lyon took both wickets for Lancashire in the evening session, catching captain Hameed, who looked to be on 41, behind the ball.

After the game, Lyon said: “What (Jimmy) did this morning was pretty amazing to see. Obviously I’ve seen it from the other side as well, where I’m not standing there saying ‘Come on Jimmy’, so that was great to be a part of.”

“To be able to come here and play with one of the best fast bowlers ever was very special”

“I’m very surprised that England tapped him on the shoulder and said ‘You’ve got one more Test and that’s it’, he’s class, he’s world class”

Nottinghamshire are likely to trail by 143 runs tomorrow, while Lancashire will need eight more wickets to secure victory in Southport.

Salford Now follows Lancashire Cricket throughout their County Championship, T20 Blast and One Day Cup campaigns this summer.

Follow @benjournalist1 on Twitter for live updates.

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