Feature

Twin triumphs for Anderson

Plays of the Day from the fourth day of the Trent Bridge Test between England and India

Anderson to Laxman: A bowler's delight  •  Getty Images

Anderson to Laxman: A bowler's delight  •  Getty Images

Filth of the day
Even taking into account the workload of India's quicks and the absence of their frontline spinner, some of the bowling on the fourth morning was dreadful. As Stuart Broad clubbed consecutive sixes off Suresh Raina it prompted Michael Holding in the commentary box to say "this isn't Test cricket." He was right, but it was also a shame because for so much of these first two matches the action has been of the highest quality. India, though, were a broken team.
Ball of the day
There were plenty of candidates from England's attack - many by Tim Bresnan - but for sheer skill and control of his craft it goes to James Anderson and the inswinger to remove VVS Laxman. Anderson has the ball on a string these days and exploited Laxman's tendency to hang back in his crease. The ball started comfortably outside off then began to shape back at Laxman. Perhaps he thought it would come back even further than it did because he played the wrong line and the ball beat his outside edge to take off stump.
Correct drop of the day
England should have had Abhinav Mukund with the first ball of India's second innings but Bresnan, in about the only moment that didn't go his way all day, couldn't hold on as he dived across one-handed in front of Andrew Strauss. However, if you'd offered them that drop and the wicket they did take before lunch they'd have happily accepted it. Stuart Broad, again finding the perfect length for this pitch, made one nip away from Rahul Dravid who was drawn forward and got an edge to Matt Prior. Abhinav survived until lunch, but England won't have minded too much.
Set-up of the day
Raina is being picked apart by the England bowlers. Troubled by the short ball in the first innings he was bounced again, but didn't exactly make Bresnan work too hard for the success. Five balls into his innings he went for hook and obligingly placed it straight down to long leg. The catcher was Scott Elstone, the Nottinghamshire player, who joined the list of county players to have their moment in the spotlight as a substitute. In 2005 on this ground Gary Pratt became a national hero for running out Ricky Ponting and while not in the same league, Elstone, who took a second catch to remove Harbhajan Singh after dropping a tough one, should be getting a few free drinks.
Fielding change of the day
Some days things just go your way. Having seen Yuvraj Singh flap against the short ball Strauss brought Alastair Cook into an odd position. It wasn't really a silly point, more a silly slip. Whatever it will be called it worked. Next ball Yuvraj lobbed a catch off his glove and Cook ran back a few steps to hold the chance before being mobbed by his captain and team-mates.
Stat of the day
James Anderson became the most successful pace bowler against Sachin Tendulkar - he's now dismissed him seven times - when he trapped him lbw for 56 to hasten India's defeat. At Lord's he'd also trapped him in front to move equal with Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespite as the most successful quick against Tendulkar but now he stands alone. Only Muttiah Muralitharan - with eight dismissals - is ahead of Anderson and there are two more Tests to go in this series yet.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo