Anderson takes two wickets on Lancashire return

Emirates Old Trafford (day two), Division Two of the Rothesay County Championship

Lancashire 458: Wells 141, Balderson 73, Bell 57, Aitchison 3-87

Derbyshire 112-4: Came 31, Anderson 2-24

Derbyshire (1 pt) trails Lancashire (3 pts) by 346 runs.

In his first appearance since retiring from international duty, James Anderson took two wickets for Lancashire.

Only 18 deliveries of Anderson’s Lancashire return were required to inflict harm on Derbyshire after England’s greatest fast bowler bide a moving farewell at Lord’s on September 30.

Two months shy of the age of 43, Anderson bowled left-hander Caleb Jewell with a distinctive trimmer from round the wicket before having David Lloyd hand a quick ball to Matty Hurst, who was also in need.

After two days at Emirates Old Trafford, Anderson finished with 2-24 in his fifth over to leave Derbyshire 112-4, 346 adrift of Lancashire’s 458.

Due to a calf injury, he had to wait until his first appearance since signing a one-year contract extension with the Red Rose.

Whether or not his return helped Lancashire, their strong position in this game was dictated by the hard work of their batters, who worked hard for Derbyshire before the visitors made the call to field.

In fact, Anderson didn’t play in the game until he left at number 11 on Saturday at 15:16 BST after Luke Wells scored a century on day one and George Balderson and George Bell added half-centuries on day two.

The warm welcome he received when he first faced the field was met by the standing ovation for the forward defence, which was followed by the noise that greeted a sweep for four.

When Lancashire were dismissed with four not out, Anderson’s bowling experience was genuine. During the tea break, he was gathered among the crowds to watch him loosen up.

Given that this was his first competitive start in ten months, Anderson needed a little time to adjust to the name he bore in the end.

When Australian Jewell drove through the covers for four, he expressed his frustration by launching a classic Anderson dismissal that angled in from round the wicket, straightened to beat the bat, and clattered into off stump.

Anderson bent his back to discomfit Lloyd because the surface offered support. Another short ball ricocheted off the back of the bat and gave the ball a top edge. The catch was made when Anderson was at his feet once more, but Lloyd claimed the ball had come off his body and was disgruntled when Anderson went in.