West Indies v England: Jimmy Anderson's finest hour offers tourists hope

For England the tide might have turned in a single session. The ridiculous schedule which means they must play 17 Test matches in nine months — two down, 15 to go — suddenly seems feasible.

The squad have arrived in Barbados for the third and final test of their series against West Indies feeling that anything is now possible after the improbable nine-wicket victory which has put them 1-0 up. Their achievement in Grenada was a prime example of clutching victory from the jaws of a draw.

Jimmy Anderson, the veteran who began his international career 13 years ago and became recently the holder of the country’s Test bowling record, produced a vintage exhibition in a compelling hour of play.

It turned the match on its head but has probably done much more.

England have a hard road ahead but they also have a team, led by Alastair Cook, which now knows it can win in improbable circumstances. It is an important attribute to have.

West Indies buckled largely because of Anderson’s inspirational display which brought him three wickets, two catches and a run-out but partly because they had been put under incessant England pressure for nine days of the series. It was like the torture victim refusing to tell until suddenly he spills the beans. They could take no more.

If England had been two up in the series instead of one they would have certainly rested one or two players in the third match, which starts on Friday, given what lies ahead. As it is, they will probably resist the temptation.

“Bringing players in is a fine balance,” said England’s coach, Peter Moores. “You want them to be playing in a winning side and they’ve got to have earned the right and be given a chance.