Anderson was in supreme form on his 28th birthday

James Anderson was pleased with the way England's bowlers made the most of the helpful conditions to take control of the first Test against Pakistan.

The fast bowler celebrated his 28th birthday by taking 5-49 in 20 overs to reduce Pakistan to 147-9 in reply to England's 354 all out at Trent Bridge.

He said: "It didn't swing as much as it did on Thursday but that probably helped us get the edge a bit more.

"I thought all of us made the best use of the conditions."

With an Ashes tour this winter, Anderson said the battle for places in Andrew Strauss's attack was good for the team.

"There's been a lot of competition over the last few months, and a couple of guys have been unlucky to miss out this week," he said.

"I think that's really healthy, and what you need in a team to succeed.

"All three of us seamers have got to keep on producing good performances to keep our spots. All of us are under pressure."

Pakistan had stolen the initiative from England by dismissing the last six batsmen for 17 runs in 13.1 overs at the start of day two in Nottingham.

606: DEBATE The concern with Anderson is not that he's not good when it doesn't swing, but that he's very BAD when it doesn't swing Silk

But Anderson and Steven Finn (3-20) bowled a perfect line and length to reduce Pakistan to 47-6 and put the hosts back in the driving seat.

The tourists rallied slightly but were still eight runs short of the follow-on target when play was abandoned at 1750 BST because of bad light.

"We need to try to get that last wicket in the morning," added Anderson. "As bowlers that's what we've got to concentrate on. We're feeling fresh so if we were to enforce the follow-on, we're fresh enough to do that."

Anderson's ninth five-wicket haul in 49 Tests came at the scene of his career-best 7-43 against New Zealand in 2008.

"It's been good to me the last couple of times I've been here," he said. "Certain grounds do tend to swing every time you come, and this is one of them."

Pakistan captain Salman Butt said: "Anderson was the one who made it happen today. He was the stand-out man. Not many bowlers in the world can swing the ball both ways with that much control."

Butt was also asked to explain Azhar Ali's decision not to send his caught behind dismissal for review despite 'Hotspot' replays suggesting the ball had missed his bat and brushed his trousers on the way through to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Surprisingly, the Pakistan captain claimed that Ali walked because he knew he had edged the ball.

Butt said: "This technology is not 100%. When the ball hits the sticker on the side (of the bat) it doesn't leave a ('Hotspot') mark.

"I think it was very honest of Azhar Ali, good sportsmanship. He edged it and he walked straightaway.

"He knew he was out, so there's no point taking the referral. If you are found out on the big screen, it doesn't look nice."

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