England vs India player ratings: Epic from James Anderson and Alastair Cook - but someone scores just a four
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Loading... - Lisa Kendrick
- 12 Sep 2021
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James Anderson claimed a piece of history as he clinched England's 118-run fifth Test victory over India to becoming world cricket's most successful pace bowler ever.
In a match that also saw opener and former captain Alastair Cook retire from Test cricket with a last-knock century, Anderson had laboured in vain on the final day of the domestic Test summer.
But the Burnley Express kept going and clean-bowled tailender Mohammed Shami just before 5.30pm to complete a 4-1 series win.
England's greatest wicket-taker passed Australia's Glenn McGrath to be alone in fourth place on the all-time list with 564 — the most by a fast bowler.
The home side had to hold their nerve to close out the match though, after KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant had threatened a world-record run chase after India were set 464 to win.
Here, Mirror cricket correspondent Dean Wilson rates the England side's performances in the match...
ALASTAIR COOK 9.5 To produce a performance like his after 161 matches at the coal face and score your 33rd Test hundred to leave the stage on the highest of highs is a testament to his skill and mental toughness.
KEATON JENNINGS 4 Caught round the corner off the spinner and then left a straight one from the seamer. Not a good game at all from the opener, who must look to score runs rather than just survive.
MOEEN ALI 7 Useful runs in an unusual style from Moeen showed that there may be a future for him at number three, especially this winter in Sri Lanka. Bowling nicely too.
JOE ROOT 9 A wonderful 14th Test hundred saw him back to his batting best at number four, which could open the floodgates. His captaincy was again pitched just right, including the decision to refuse the second new ball on day five.
JONNY BAIRSTOW 5 Solid as ever with the gloves, still out of sorts with the bat — although he was doing a team job in the second innings. Both he and the team will benefit from a clear decision on his role in Sri Lanka.
BEN STOKES 6 A rare Test match where he didn’t quite manage to have his usual impact. It has been a big summer for him, on the field and off it. Maybe it has caught up with him.
JOS BUTTLER 8 Another gem of an innings first time round, which probably makes him England’s best batsman this summer. Who would have thought that possible six months ago?
SAM CURRAN 7 A quieter match by his astonishing standards, but he still popped up with two big wickets to hurry the match to its close. Getting named Man Of The Series despite missing a game shows that a star has been born.
ADIL RASHID 7 When the game was on the line in the fourth innings and England needed something, it was an incredible ball from him that sealed the win. The dismissals of Rahul and Pant were exactly why he was picked.
STUART BROAD 6 To remove Virat Kohli first ball was a moment to be savoured on day four. He bowled with sore ribs after getting hit by a ball from Jasprit Bumrah, and has plenty more to give.
JAMES ANDERSON 8 Removed Pujara twice in the game to put England on the front foot in both innings, and to go past Glenn McGrath with the last ball of the match simply added the cherry on top of a great occasion.
