Lancashire captain James Anderson showcased his enduring class with a five-wicket haul to put his side in a dominant position against Northamptonshire in their County Championship Division Two clash.
The 43-year-old former Test bowler, now leading the Red Rose permanently this season, claimed 5-64 to leave the home side reeling at 41-5 in response to Lancashire's first-innings total of 384. Anderson's performance marked his 56th first-class five-wicket haul, underlining his remarkable longevity in the game.
"It was a vintage display from Anderson, who ripped through Northamptonshire's top order with precision and control," said one observer at the County Ground in Northampton.
Anderson was well-supported by Tom Bailey, who took 3-46, including the early dismissal of Northamptonshire captain Luke Procter for a second-ball duck. However, the home side mounted a spirited recovery, led by an unbeaten 54 from Lewis McManus, to close day two at 215-9—just 20 runs short of avoiding the follow-on.
The day had begun with veteran seamer Ben Sanderson, 37, mopping up the Lancashire tail to finish with 5-79. Lancashire resumed at 346-7, with Bailey launching a brief counterattack before being dismissed for 39.
When Northamptonshire began their reply, Anderson took center stage, removing four top-order batsmen in just 22 deliveries. His victims included Calvin Harrison (four), Ricardo Vasconcelos (25), Saif Zaib (four), and James Sales (two), though Harrison appeared unlucky after being given out caught behind to a ball that seemed to miss his edge.
With Northamptonshire trailing by 169 runs with one first-innings wicket remaining, Lancashire have secured six points to their opponents' three, putting them firmly in control as the match heads into its third day.