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Ashes 2013, 1st Test: Anderson guides England to 14-run win over Australia

In yet another fascinating Ashes Test, James Anderson displayed a superb spell of swing bowling on Day 5 as a result of which England defeated Australia by 15 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

Suyash Srivastava/Zee Media Bureau
Nottingham: In yet another fascinating Ashes Test, James Anderson displayed a superb spell of swing bowling on Day 5 as a result of which England defeated Australia by 14 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Anderson struck just after lunch to end the 65-run partnership for the tenth wicket between Brad Haddin and James Pattinson. Brad Haddin missed one from Anderson, and the ball went straight to Prior, England appealed but Aleem Dar once again wasn’t interested. Cook immediately reviewed the decision after which the third umpire took his time and Aleem Dar changed his decision and raised his finger much to the delight of the local crowd. SCORECARD» | COMMENTARY» | DAY 5: AS IT HAPPENED» Earlier in the day, Brad Haddin and Ashton Agar started off well and played almost 15 overs before Agar edged one to Cook at first slip. Anderson bowled a similar delivery in his next over and new batsman Mitchell Starc was dismissed in the same manner as Anderson picked his second wicket of the day. After those two wickets, Anderson was back in his rhythm he almost picked his third wicket of the day when Siddle was dropped on 10 by Cook at first slip. But Cook made for that dropped chance after he dived from first slip to his right to take a brilliant catch to dismiss Siddle who was playing a shot too many. As wickets fell at regular intervals, Brad Haddin counter-attacked the English pace attack and reached his half-century from consecutive boundaries off Steven Finn. Haddin scored 15 runs in Finn’s ninth over and didn’t hesitate to play aggressive shots under pressure. It was a Test highly dominated by the English bowlers, James Anderson in particular who picked a ten-wicket haul and got a breakthrough for his side whenever needed. Apart from Anderson, England would remember this Test for the brilliant ton scored by Ian Bell, who stitched crucial partnerships that gave England a formidable lead of over 300 runs. Australia on the other hand would want to take their own positives from the match. Ashton Agar made his sensational debut and Phillip Hughes, Chris Rogers and not to forget Brad Haddin too impressed with their individual efforts. The tail-enders however were exceptional and after that last-wicket partnership in the second innings, the Aussies can enter the second Test with their heads held high. England were the clear favourites ahead of the match and they have lived up to the expectations. Apart from Ian Bell's stupendous ton, batsmen of both the teams struggled to score runs and it was the bowling department that made the difference. The spearhead of the English pace attack James Anderson bowled beautifully right throughout the match and his match-winning effort gave a clear edge to the hosts.