Anderson justifies his place

2:15pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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JAMES Anderson justified his retention in England's line-up for the opening npower Test today by claiming two early wickets against New Zealand at Lords.

The Lancashire seamer was named in an unchanged line-up after England decided to overlook Matthew Hoggard and had to wait until 1.20pm to begin the 2008 international summer with steady rain delaying the start.

But Anderson quickly found the right line and length and struck with his fifth ball of the day to remove debutant Aaron Redmond as New Zealand slumped to 30 for two after being put in to bat.

Given the new ball, Anderson made the breakthrough in his first over when Redmond, one of two debutants in the New Zealand line-up alongside Daniel Flynn, edged a short delivery low to Alastair Cook at third slip for a duck.

Anderson could have claimed his second victim in his third over when new batsman James Marshall, who had progressed to nine, edged behind only for umpire Simon Taufel to call a no-ball for over-stepping.

His disappointment at that incident was quickly overcome in his next over, however, when he removed opener Jamie How with a superb, full-pitched delivery which he edged as it left him and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

Marshall has his second reprieve of his innings later that same over when new batsman Taylor called for a quick single after pushing onto the off-side.

Taylor continued running despite Anderson picking up quickly in his follow through and looked certain to run out Marshall, who was still at the non-strikers end.

But instead of calmly throwing to Ian Bell at the wicket to complete a regulation run-out, Anderson hurled the ball wide of the stumps and allowed Marshall time to complete the single on the overthrow.