5 times James Anderson played a handy innings with the bat in Tests
Since making his Test debut in 2003, James Anderson has been a sensational performer for England. He is one of only three bowlers in international cricket to claim more than 700 wickets in the longest format.
Anderson has amassed 1,353 runs in 264 Test innings at an average of 8.96, including a single fifty. Although the 41-year-old possesses a dismal average, he played a few useful knocks that helped the team fare well in crunch moments or had an impact that changed the course of the game.
As Anderson draws curtains on his illustrious playing career, let's shed light on his five best Test knocks.
5 useful knocks of James Anderson in Tests
#1 28 off 85 vs NZ at Nottingham, 2008
In June 2008, England faced the challenge of New Zealand in Nottingham. Batting first, the home team got vital contributions from Kevin Pietersen (115) and Tim Ambrose (67).
Interestingly, James Anderson (28) stitched together a 76-run stand with Stuart Broad (64) to pull on the misery on New Zealand, resulting in England posting 364 on the board.
Then, Anderson took seven wickets to bundle out the Blackcaps for 123. After being enforced a follow-on, the visitors could not be proficient against Ryan Sidebottom, as his six-fer helped England to win by an innings and nine runs.
#2 21* off 53 vs AUS at Cardiff, 2009 Ashes
The 2009 Ashes opener in Cardiff saw Anderson play one of his finest knocks under intense pressure. It was a rare occasion for him to contribute in both innings.
Batting first, England posted 435 on the board, with Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, and Matt Prior scoring half-centuries. Anderson provided a contribution of 26 off 40 in the latter part of the innings.
Australia came up with a stern response by compiling a staggering total of 674/6, before declaring their innings. Four Australian batters scored centuries, as the English bowling unit had no answer to their dominance.
Trailing by more than 200 runs, the hosts were put under incessant pressure and were stuttering at 70/5. However, Collingwood (74) came to the team's rescue and got support from Andrew Flintoff (26) and Graeme Swann (31) to keep the team in good stead.
Anderson chipped in with an unbeaten 21 off 53 balls, while Monty Panesar remained unbeaten on 7 off 35, as England went on to secure a lead of 13 to evade a certain innings defeat.
#3 29 off 25 vs AUS at Lord's, 2009 Ashes
After playing out a fighting draw, England came into the second Ashes Test with confidence. Skipper Andrew Strauss (161) and Alastair Cook (95) stitched together a 196-run stand, as England were in a dominating position on the first day.
However, after the middle-order collapse, James Anderson scored 29 off 25 balls, with five fours to help England finish on 425. Then, the right-arm pacer took four wickets to bundle out the opposition for 215.
In the second innings, Prior (61) top-scored, as England declared on 311/6 to set a target of 522 runs. The Australians tried well but were bundled out for 406, with Michael Clarke scoring a century.
#4 29 off 78 vs SA at Centurion, 2009
The first Test match of the England-South Africa series in Centurion also saw James Anderson providing a handy contribution. The Proteas compiled a total of 418, with Jacques Kallis scoring a century.
Then, the English batters got starts but couldn't convert them into big knocks. Struggling at 242/8, the visitors got support from Graeme Swann and Anderson. The duo stitched together a critical 106-run stand, before the fast bowler departed for 29 off 78, with four fours and a six. Swann was impressive to come up with his career-best knock of 85 off 81 balls, as England managed to score 356.
Then, Hashim Amla scored a century and the Proteas set up a target of 364. Pietersen (81) top-scored for the side, while the lower-order batters kept their calm under pressure to salvage a draw.
#5 81 of 130 vs IND at Nottingham, 2014
James Anderson produced his career-best knock against India in Nottingham during the first game of the 2014 series.
With Murali Vijay (146) leading the charge, India amassed an impressive total of 457. Anderson was the pick of the bowlers with three scalps for the home side.
Then, England was in the right path with hefty contributions from the top order and Joe Root delivering his best at the other end. Arriving at the crease at 298/9, nothing much was expected from Anderson. However, he proved his ability as a batter by playing fearless cricket and scoring all around the park.
Anderson went on to slam 81 off 130, as England were all-out for 496. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 154 off 295 balls. The game ended with India declaring their innings at 391/9.