James Anderson takes milestone wicket as rain curtails final Test of unusual summer

England and Pakistan called time just after the game entered its final hour, with the hosts still needing six wickets to drive home a second victory of the series

James Anderson became the first seamer in Test history to reach the landmark of 600 wickets on a rain-interrupted final day at the Ageas Bowl.

England and Pakistan called time just after the game entered its final hour, with the hosts still needing six wickets to drive home a second victory of the series.

By then, the day’s main event had been achieved from an English perspective, with Anderson getting a delivery to bounce on Azhar Ali, who could only edge to Joe Root.

And while England’s slip fielding has left plenty to be desired, the captain was on hand to take a hugely significant catch.

England briefly smelt blood afterwards, but Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq settled any nerves among the tourists with a 63-run stand, during which there was time for Dom Sibley to unfurl a rare over of his part-time leg-spin.

When he was replaced after a single exploratory over by Root, the England skipper had Shafiq caught by substitute fielder James Bracey at short leg to give the home side a hint of impetus.

However, the sides left the field shortly afterwards with a draw agreed – a result which, given the time lost from the game due to poor weather, looked somewhat inevitable for some time.

Ultimately, though, it was Anderson’s day – a phenomenal achievement right at the end of a unique summer.

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