Two years after being left on the brink of tears at Headingley, James Anderson found a happy ending against Sri Lanka
Anderson haul seals new-found affinity
James Anderson confirmed his new-found affinity with Headingley as his first-ever Test 10-wicket haul at the Leeds venue condemned Sri Lanka to an innings defeat inside three days.
After revealing he had "hated" bowling at the ground following his first-innings 5-16, Anderson followed it up with five more wickets as the tourists were skittled for 119 after being asked to follow-on.
Sri Lanka’s inexperienced batting line-up simply didn’t have an answer to a masterclass of swing bowling as Anderson finished with match figures of 10-45.
It was a vintage performance from the 33-year-old, in conditions tailor-made for him, but is a curiosity of his prized record that Anderson had never truly flourished at the ground since his first Test there in 2003.
Quick single: Lankans skittled inside three days
He had managed a relatively modest 19 wickets in seven previous Tests in Leeds – his two five-wicket hauls this week were his first - while it was also the scene of one of the lowest points of his 114-Test career.
Two years ago, and against the same opposition, Anderson was left slumped over his bat and on the brink of tears after he was dismissed with just two balls of the Test left to hand Sri Lanka a series-clinching win.
Anderson had battled gamely for 81 minutes, without scoring, to try and stave off defeat only to fall agonisingly close and allow Sri Lanka to joyously celebrate their first ever Test series win in England around him.
Emotions could not have been more stark this time around.
Anderson walked off to a standing ovation from the crowd – a rare enough feat for a Lancastrian at the headquarters of their closest rivals Yorkshire - after he wrapped up the innings and 88 runs win by bowling last man Nuwan Pradeep.
Quick single: Injury forces Stokes from the field
In the two days previous he had toyed with the Sri Lanka batsmen – passing Kapil Dev to become the sixth-highest Test wicket taker of all time along the way – and all after coming up with a simple solution to his Headingley woes with new-ball partner Stuart Broad.
Anderson and Broad decided, after almost a decade of bowling together for England at Headingley, that they might try switching ends in this match.
Fifteen wickets in the Test resoundingly confirmed it was the right move and, after Jonny Bairstow’s emotional century, paved the way for a 1-0 series lead in the three-match series that England already appear unlikely to give up.
"I would love to claim credit for that, but I can't take any" captain Alastair Cook said of Anderson and Broad's switch.
"I just assumed Jimmy would come down the hill and Broady and Moeen up the hill. Then they said they were going to try a different way.
"It was great to see Jimmy (do well). Everyone wasn't quite writing him off but after South Africa he's back to his best. He's got a few more wickets left in him."
Sri Lanka have little time to come up with answers to Anderson and Broad before the second Test starts on Friday and they must find them on a Durham pitch that is one of the most seam-friendly in England.
Quick single: Bairstow's century a ton of emotion
The hosts will have one concern before the match with Ben Stokes a major doubt for his home Test due to a knee injury.
The all-rounder had become an integral part of England’s Test plans in the past 12 months, but was was unable to bowl on the third day and left the field early.
Stokes suffered the injury late on day two, and even bowled afterwards, but after appearing for the start of the third day soon realised he was better served in the hands of the physio.
"He doesn't look good for Durham," Cook said of Stokes after the match.
"He'll have a scan tomorrow (Sunday). We will add to the squad."