Birthday boy Anderson sparks Pakistan collapse

James Anderson marked his 28th birthday by sparking Pakistan's collapse to 90 for six at tea on the second day of the first Test against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham today.

James Anderson marked his 28th birthday by sparking Pakistan's collapse to 90 for six at tea on the second day of the first Test against England at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Friday.

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That left them 264 behind England's first innings 354 and needing a further 65 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Anderson, at tea, had three wickets for 21 runs in 13 overs while fellow fast bowler Steven Finn had taken three for 12 in seven.

Shoaib Malik, the last of Pakistan's recognised batsmen, was 26 not out and teenager Mohammad Aamer 22 not out, with their unbroken stand of 43 helping Pakistan climb from the depths of 47 for six.

Although England had lost their last six wickets for just 17 runs earlier today in a Mohammad Asif-inspired slump, their total always looked like being tough for a novice Pakistan line-up to match in overcast conditions ideal for a swing bowler such as Anderson.

And the Lancashire seamer, from around the wicket, produced a superb delivery to Imran Farhat which saw the left-hander, aiming to mid-on, bowled off-stump as the ball moved away late.

Finn then got in on the act with only his sixth ball as 32 for two became 35 for three.

The Middlesex paceman, playing his first England match since the early season Tests against Bangladesh after undergoing a strength programme, had Umar Amin (2) caught at second slip by Graeme Swann.

Azhar Ali then fell to Anderson, edging through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Replays suggested the ball had brushed Ali's back leg and missed his bat.