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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

James Anderson justifies England recall as he breaks yet another Test record

James Anderson celebrated his recall to the England Test side with a four-wicket haul in New Zealand 's first innings, which began with a stunning opening spell with the new ball.

Anderson, along with his long-time bowling partner Stuart Broad, had been controversially axed following the Ashes and even considered retiring. However, he was restored to the side for the first Test against New Zealand and made an immediate impact.

It took just 13 balls for Anderson, who will turn 40 next month, to pick up a wicket and he returned outstanding figures of 2-4 from his six-over opening spell. The two wickets he picked up were that of New Zealand's openers, Will Young and Tom Latham, with both players caught by Jonny Bairstow at third slip for just three.

And in dismissing the two openers, the evergreen Anderson broke yet another Test record. Across his career, Anderson has dismissed both openers in a single Test inning a total of 27 times, more than any other bowler.

His wickets of Young and Latham saw him overtake legendary Australia seamer Glenn McGrath, who achieved the feat 26 times in his career. Anderson went on to pick up 4-66 in the New Zealand first innings, bouncing out both Kyle Jamieson and Tim Southee.

Debutant Matty Potts also picked up four wickets, returning stunning figures of 4-13 from 9.2 overs. Reflecting on his debut after day one, Potts told Sky Sports: "It was nice to get some wickets early on and settle the nerves. Credit to Jimmy and Broady. It was really, really good.

Debutant Matty Potts also took four wickets in New Zealand's first innings (IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

"A lot of my success is down to my family. I am really over the moon with it. I had a little tear in my eye this morning and I imagine my parents did too.

"Honestly, it [bowling first] is probably the best way it could have worked out rather than having built up nerves. It is best to get it out of the way.

"The first ball was fine. I gathered my thoughts well. The second ball half tracker."

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