County Championship: James Anderson picks six wickets for Lancashire ahead of farewell Test

England legend James Anderson returned to his first County Championship match of the summer by taking six wickets in his opening spell as Lancashire dominated Nottinghamshire in Southport.

The 41-year-old was in action for the first time since playing for England in India in March and ahead of his farewell international in their Test opener against the West Indies.

Anderson showed his class by taking 6-19 from 10 overs, ripping through the Nottinghamshire top order in cloudy conditions. His spell left the visitors struggling at 40-6 in reply to Lancashire's declaration at 353-9.

Lancashire declared early on Tuesday morning after securing a third batting bonus point, following the washout of day two by rain, with Anderson finishing unbeaten on nought from two deliveries as opener Keaton Jennings scored a brilliant 187 not out.

Anderson's first breakthrough was Nottinghamshire captain Haseeb Hameed (6) while New Zealand's Will Young (2) was the second.

Jennings caught Joe Clarke (0) in the slips and Jack Haynes (2) fell soon after to Anderson, who completed the 55th five-wicket haul of his career when he removed Lyndon James (5).

Liam Patterson-White (4) became Anderson's sixth wicket in as many overs before the bowler was replaced by George Balderson.

It must be noted Anderson will continue to work with the team’s coaching set-up after playing his last Test match against West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground next week.

Anderson is widely considered England’s greatest pacer as he made unmatchable history throughout his career with the country and is the only pacer to bag 700 wickets in red-ball cricket.

The match against West Indies would be Anderson’s 188th and last red-ball match for England but he will not be out of the picture after that as Rob Key, England’s Managing Director, has confirmed he has asked him to remain with the team all summer.

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