The 'GOAT' James Anderson has once again proved his prowess with the ball as he paired up with the debutant Matthew Potts to share eight wickets amongst them to rattle New Zealand to a paltry 132 on Day 1 of the first Test at Lord's on Thursday.
England's veteran seamer Anderson (4/66) and Potts (4/13) were impressive for the hosts to leave Kiwis lurching right from the word go. Potts snared his first Test wicket in the form of New Zealand's skipper Kane Williamson. He then went on to dismiss Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell respectively to grab everyone's attention.
All-rounder Colin de Grandhomme top-scored for New Zealand with 42 not out, while bowler Tim Southee made 26 as the visitors' batting order suffered an early collapse.
Who would have imagined Anderson, who once picked 5/73 in 2003 at Lord's even before Kiwi Brendon McCullum made his Test debut as a player, will pull of a stunner with 4/66 at the same venue after 19 years, but this time playing under the coach McCullum. Certainly, age is just a number for Anderson.
Skipper Kane Williamson won the toss at Lord's and chose to bat first. That worked out fine in the end for Ben Stokes who said he would also have batted first. At one stage the Kiwis were reeling at 12/4 after key batter Williamson was caught behind off Potts.
The debutant once had 3/8 from eight overs.
Meanwhile, Lancashire spinner Matthew Parkinson was confirmed as Jack Leach's concussion replacement after the spinner was injured while fielding in the only setback for the hosts in a remarkable session.
New Zealand, the reigning world test champion, is taking on an opponent now coached by Brendon McCullum, one of the Black Caps' great players. Left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel, who is one of only three players to have taken 10 wickets in a Test innings, was included in the New Zealand team.
Pacer Trent Boult also starts, despite only arriving in London on Monday. New Zealand beat England when the teams last met in a Test series in England last year, prior to New Zealand's win over India in the final of the inaugural World Test Championship. England is on a run of just one win in its last 17 Tests.
