Not only is James Anderson England's leading Test wicket-taker of all time, over recent years the 32-year-old has had the knack of removing batsmen at crucial moments.
Never was that truer than the final day of the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge two years ago today when the hosts were locked in a nail-biting contest with rivals Australia.
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Earlier in the day, Anderson had taken three wickets to help reduce the tourists, who were chasing a victory target of 311, to 231-9.
It seemed to all that were watching that a routine home win was going to be secured, but Brad Haddin and James Pattinson hadn't read the script. The pair frustrated England's bowling attack - including Anderson - to the point where an Australian victory had become a major possibility.
Indeed, such was the work that Anderson had put in to try to break up the final-wicket partnership, he was forced off the field not long before lunch with cramp.
However, the interval appeared to do wonders for the bowler from Burnley, who struck in just the second over after the resumption of play with Australia only 14 runs adrift of their required total.
Attempting to play away from his body, initially there was little indication that Haddin had made contact with Anderson's delivery as the ball drifted into the gloves of Matt Prior. Yet, the England wicket-keeper was convinced there had been a knick, despite umpire Aleem Dar declining to lift his finger.
On Prior's insistence, skipper Alastair Cook reviewed the decision, with the DRS showing the slightest of touches between Haddin's bat and the ball. As a result, Dar had to reverse his initial thinking, meaning that Haddin's knock of 71 counted for little as England wrapped up the win.
The wicket was Anderson's 10th of the match - the second time he had achieved that feat, both of which came at the Nottinghamshire venue. Unsurprisingly, his exploits with the ball earned the swing-bowler the man of the match award.
"It has been draining emotionally and physically. I'm lost for words - it's been amazing. I didn't hear anything [for the final wicket] but Matt Prior and Cookie were convinced. I'm just delighted we could review it and sneak home," he told reporters.
"The match had the nerves going but I love bowling here and I'm happy to pick up some wickets again. It generally swings here but whatever way we can get the ball moving, it is a bonus for us."
Liam Apicella
