England's ultimate perfectionist James Anderson revels in another overseas champagne moment

NICK HOWSON: A 30th five-for for the Lancashire 38-year-old pegged back Sri Lanka at Galle. And there is plenty of reason to believe there is more to come

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test scorecard

James Anderson conquers nerves and critics to remain England's man for all conditions

If James Anderson's latest Test five-for was a celebration of everything wonderful about the format's greatest ever fast bowler, that isn't how the England quick sees it.

The 38-year-old claimed figures of 6-40 from 29 overs, including 13 maidens, to give the tourists a foothold at Galle. In reply to Sri Lanka's first innings 381, Joe Root's unbeaten 67 guided England to 98 for 2 at the close on day two.

It was the 30th time Anderson had taken five wickets or more in a Test innings, putting him sixth in the all-time list. Eight of them have come away from English shores, conditions which have helped develop him into the best swing bowler ever seen.

Yet, this was a performance which drew on the Lancastrian's skill and guile, discipline and cunning. And as a result, gives him the more satisfaction than many of his successes closer to home.

"Because the conditions are very different you do feel like it is a bigger achievement," said Anderson, who now averages 29.01 in Asia.

"The weather has been rocket hot in the last couple of days as well so to bowl the amount of overs that I've bowled and to get the wickets and the rewards certainly feels very good."

Worryingly for Test batsmen around the world, there is both nothing surprising about the return nor anything stopping Anderson from reproducing it for years to come. 

^{Anderson has taken inspiration from Stuart Broad after his first Test success (Getty)}

Working as hard as ever on his fitness during lockdown and unpicking his running technique - he is now "obsessed" with watching Carl Lewis videos - suggests this effort is not part of the final chapter.

"I don't think I'm surprising myself," he added. "Through anything that you do the work and effort you put in behind the scenes the more rewards you get, generally. That's how I feel at the minute. 

"I'm working really hard on my fitness in the last 12 months - lockdowns have helped that quite a bit. 

"I feel in really good shape at the moment and I'm working on stuff like running technique that are actually make me quicker. 

"I don't see why I can't keep improving because I'm getting older.

"The more work you put in this sport will reward you, that's how I've felt the last couple of days.

"If I've got good technique with my body that will take the pressure off areas and hopefully muscle injuries won't come around as they can do when you get older."

Image courtesy of Sri Lanka Cricket