James Anderson sets out to swing Lancashire past Warwickshire

This is the time of year when swing bowlers can take advantage in the certain knowledge that more trying times await. Spring is late and the water tables are high even beneath the new über-drainage systems. Pitches are sappy and the outfields lush, so that the shine stays deep and rosy. Old Trafford had good pace and carry to it today as well, so the anticipation was high regarding what Jimmy Anderson might achieve on his return to the game after spending the months since England's South Africa tour rehabilitating his worrisome right knee. Anderson did not get the chance to bowl until late in the day, and then he only came on for four overs. Before that Lancashire, put in to bat, had recovered from a disastrous start to reach 253. Ashwell Prince made 82 and there were half-centuries from Steven Croft and Glen Chapple. Warwickshire closed on 13 for one, having lost Varun Chopra, who was unable to cope with Anderson's movement at pace, was late on his stroke and was bowled. There will be a second bite for Anderson tomorrow morning, when a chill night will have juiced the pitch up once more. It could be a ticklish first session for the visitors. It was Chris Woakes, an England Lion, who put the skids under Lancashire in the first half-hour. He is an impressive young bowler in terms of the controlled movement he can get both ways – even if he does telegraph his alternative delivery so obviously that he might as well bellow "inswinger" as he runs up – but Anderson's comparative pace puts that into perspective. Woakes looks like a bowler who will flourish on English pitches with a Duke ball, but without the extra velocity he might find life elsewhere a lot harder. Until Prince and Croft resurrected things with a fifth-wicket stand of 133, the seamers had threatened a rout. Woakes took a wicket with his third ball and within a further 15 had collected two more at cost of one run. When Neil Carter removed Mark Chilton, Lancashire were 14 for four. Now, however, Warwickshire, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott included, may have their work cut out.