Anderson puts England in charge

James Anderson claimed England’s best World Cup figures for 20 years as they made an impressive but belated entry into the tournament against Holland today.

The 20-year-old, who was only called into England’s one-day squad last December, continued his remarkable progress by claiming a superb four for 25 to help restrict minnows Holland to 142 for nine in East London.

Anderson’s superb World Cup debut gave England hope that they could quickly finish the Dutch off at Buffalo Park but Tim de Leede’s superb 58 helped them into three figures.

De Leede shared in a useful 36-run partnership with Jan Kloppenburg and an unbeaten 30-run stand with last man Jeroen Smits to at least give his side something to bowl at.

Lifted by the return of Craig White who proved his fitness from a side strain, England sent out their strongest team and it was Anderson who caught the eye.

The Lancastrian’s return represented his country’s best in a World Cup since Vic Marks claimed five for 39 against Sri Lanka in Taunton in 1983.

Holland started brightly with opener Luuk van Toost driving the fourth ball of the day through the covers for four off Andrew Caddick, but it was a rare attacking stroke as England used the new ball efficiently.

Anderson made the breakthrough in the sixth over of the innings when opener Daan van Bunge lashed out at a lifting delivery and found the safe hands of White at gully.

Anderson struck again just four overs later when he trapped Van Troost leg before stepping across his stumps before claiming two more victims in one over.

Sussex batsman Bas Zuiderent became his next victim, driving to captain Nasser Hussain at mid off and just two balls later Klaas van Noortwijk edged behind to wicketkeeper Alec Stewart attempting to clip off his legs.

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff then claimed the fifth wicket when he trapped Nick Statham lbw to leave Holland on 31 for five and in danger recorded the World Cup’s lowest-ever score.

But De Leede ensured that his side moved past Canada’s 45 in 1979 with some determined resistance.

At the other end however, left-arm spinner Ian Blackwell and White continued to chip away at the rest of the order.

White claimed an impressive two for 22 while Blackwell, preferred to the more experienced Ashley Giles, finished with two for 37.