West Indies 299 & 307

England 464 & 143-1 (England won by 9 wickets)

England found an answer to their difficulties in bowling out the West Indies in Grenada. They reverted to "Plan A" and handed the ball back to James Anderson! England's leading all-time wicket taker in Test matches turned in the sort of performance that has made him one of the most dangerous pace bowlers in the world. His stunning 4-43 spell of bowling, allied to a couple of catches and the run out of Jason Holder, turned a match that seemed destined for a second Test draw in the Caribbean into a stroll in the sun for the tourists.

West Indies were bowled out for 307 in their second innings and Alastair Cook's side strolled to a 9-wicket victory. This was more like the team that had climbed to the top of the world Test rankings a few years ago.

West Indies had ended day four of the second Test against England looking to be comfortably placed on 202-2. They led by just 37 runs but had seemed relatively untroubled by England's bowling attack during their second attempt at batting on the flat St George's pitch. The stage seemed to be set fair for their batsmen to take the match beyond the visitors, by taking a large chunk out of the remaining day's play. Cook's men had not read the script though, with Anderson very much to the fore.

With the new ball in his hand he provided the type of pacey, swinging deliveries he has become famed for. A devastating return of 3 wickets for just one run turned the match England's way in a flash.

Kraigg Brathwaite had added just 15 runs to his day four century, before Anderson had him caught in the gully area by Joe Root for 116.

The picture for the away side improved further when the Lancashire bowler dismissed Shivnarine Chanderpaul, thanks to Cook's sharp catching reflexes following an Ian Bell 'parry'. Anderson's stock ball of the away swinger ended Marlon Samuels' resistance on 37 as he edged to Jos Buttler behind the stumps, leaving the West Indies suddenly struggling at 239-5.

Not content with bowling the opposition out, Anderson's next contribution to the match was to take a catch off Chris Jordan's bowling to remove Jermaine Blackwood for 10. Holder was also back in the pavilion just three runs later, when Anderson's all-round performance included a wonderful direct hit for a run out. The spin of Moeen Ali ensured that the remaining three wickets fell cheaply, but even then Anderson was involved when he took the catch that dismissed Kemar Roach.

With West Indies all out for 307 as their last eight wickets fell for just 83 runs, it left the visitors chasing 143 for the victory. That remained a long way off when Jonathan Trott was bowled without scoring by Shannon Gabriel, leaving the visitor's at 2-1.

Cook (59) and Gary Ballance (81) saw them home though with a solid unbeaten partnership of 142 to put England 1-0 up in the series, with just one match remaining. It was Anderson who had been the catalyst though for England's success.
© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED