Anderson leaves India 11-2 before rain interruption

James Anderson struck twice as India slumped to 11 for two before rain stopped play after 30 minutes of the second day of the second Test against England at Lord’s on Friday.

After rain washed out Thursday’s first day without a ball bowled, England captain Joe Root decided to field when he won the toss.

Although the skies above Lord’s were then blue and sunny, they soon clouded over and combined with a green-tinged pitch made conditions favourable for England’s pacemen.

They were ideal for swing specialist Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, who started this match needing just six more wickets to become the first bowler to take 100 wickets in Tests at Lord’s.

It took the 36-year-old just five balls to move nearer that landmark when, in the first over of the day, he bowled Murali Vijay for a duck with a superb outswinger that left India nought for one.

And India were 10 for two when KL Rahul, India’s other opener, was caught behind off Anderson for eight.

Two balls later, after half an hour’s action, the umpires halted play because of rain which was soon lashing down.

India were 11 for two off 6.3 overs, with Anderson having taken two wickets for six runs in 3.3 overs.

Both Cheteshwar Pujara and India captain Virat Kohli were unbeaten on one.

England lead this five-match series 1-0 after a 31-run victory in the first Test at Edgbaston last week.