‘Jimmy’s day,Jimmy’s game,’ Alastair Cook hails England’s hero

A clash beset by umpiring rows and controversy over the DRS ended shortly after lunch on the fifth and final day when England overturned umpire Aleem Dar’s original not out decision to have Brad Haddin (71) caught behind off Anderson. Also read: Australia’s angst over DRS system in loss

“Australia fought incredibly hard and a lot of credit to them for the way those guys batted today,but we just hung in there incredibly well,” Cook said,after Australia,80 runs adrift of victory at 231 for nine,made England and a capacity crowd sweat in the Nottingham sunshine thanks to a last-wicket stand of 65 between Haddin and James Pattinson (25 not out).

“Jimmy (Anderson) was outstanding. He always wants one more over — I think 13 was probably quite a lot in that first hour! It happened to be Jimmy’s day and Jimmy’s game.” Also read: Anderson is a captain’s dream,says Ian Botham

Too dependent?

Asked if England were over-reliant on Anderson,Cook replied: “No,not at all. He’s a world-class bowler and you sometimes use him in these situations when you know there’s a timeframe.”

Cook also highlighted Ian Bell’s second innings 109,which helped give England just enough runs to defend,as a key contribution to the match. “It was a real innings of character,determination and skill,” he said.

Anderson’s match figures were his best in Test cricket since he took 11 for 71 against Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2010. “I had the nerves going a little bit but I love bowling here,it’s been good to me over the years and I’m happy that I could pick up some more wickets,” Anderson said.

5-0,already

This was Australia’s fifth straight Test loss following their 4-0 series defeat in India earlier this year. And the fact their two key partnerships this match were both for the 10th wicket,including a last-wicket Test record 163 in the first innings that featured teenage debutant Ashton Agar’s 98 — the highest score by a Test No 11 — indicated new coach Darren Lehmann had much work to do with Australia’s top-order.

However,Australia captain Michael Clarke said: “I don’t care how we make the runs,so long as we get them.” He added: “The boys can hold their heads high. It was a wonderful game of cricket but credit to England.

“They fought really hard through the five days and the two best performers were Ian Bell making a hundred and Jimmy Anderson getting five in both innings,so they deserved to win.”