One of the finest seam bowlers the world has seen, England’s James Anderson drew curtains to his illustrious career on Friday, as his team defeated England in at lopsided Test match. James Anderson concluded his career with 704 scalps in the longest format of the game, a mark not matched by any pace bowler in the world. As James Anderson said goodbye to the Gentleman’s Game, wishes poured in on social media, as cricketers and fans congratulated the GOAT pacer.
However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam committed a blunder as he extended greetings to James Anderson on retirement. Babar said that it was a privilege to face James Anderson’s “cutters”.
James Anderson glorious test career.
James Anderson concluded his legendary Test career spanning 188 Test matches and more than two decades on a high note as England beat West Indies by an innings and 114 runs on Friday.
The seasoned pacer James Anderson has dominated red-ball cricket with his mastery of the swing as well as the reverse swing. He made his debut in the Test format against Zimbabwe at The Lord’s, and he will bid farewell to fans as a player at the same venue.
His 6/17 against Pakistan in the first Test in 2010 at Trent Bridge still echoes the prowess of his remarkable career. He left Pakistan batters Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Azhar Ali, and many more players speechless. In 187 Tests, Anderson has taken 700 wickets at an average of 26.52, with the best bowling figures of 7/42. He has also taken 269 wickets in 194 ODIs for England and 18 wickets in 19 T20Is.
James Anderson’s Test career, spanning 188 matches over 21 years, came to an end where it had begun – at Lord’s – with a three-for in the second innings as England routed West Indies by an innings and 114 runs. James Anderson finished with 704 Test wickets and it could have been 705 if he had not dropped a dolly off Gudakesh Motie off his own bowling, which would have finished off the game.
After starting under Nasser Hussain (also his interviewer at the end) in a team that still had the likes of Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart to playing with debutants Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith in his final Test, James Anderson has had 109 team-mates in Test cricket. James Anderson was part of 83 of England’s Test wins including the ones that won them an Away Ashes in 2010/11, after a 24-year drought, and a 2-1 series win in India in 2012 – which is the last instance of an away team beating India in India.
The 41-year-old crossed Ian Botham’s tally of 383 wickets in 2015 to become the highest wicket-taker for England. He crossed Glenn McGrath’s 563 victims in 2018 to become the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Tests, but Anderson’s 704 is highly unlikely to be overhauled by any bowler anytime soon.
Pakistan captain Babar Azam committed a blunder as he extended greetings to Anderson on retirement. Babar said that it was a privilege to face Anderson’s “cutters”.
Babar Azam lauds James Anderson following the English pacer’s farewell Test in 1st Test vs WI
Pakistan’s star batter Babar Azam reserved high praise for England’s veteran seamer James Anderson, who retired from international cricket on Friday, July 12. The seasoned campaigner claimed four wickets across two innings as England beat West Indies by an innings and 114 runs in the Test series opener at Lord’s.
Congratulating Anderson for a stunning 22-year-long career, Babar mentioned that the game of cricket will dearly miss the champion bowler. He also added that it was an honor for him to face the pacer’s cutters.
Taking to his official Instagram handle, here’s what Babar wrote for Anderson:
“It was a privilege to face your cutters, Jimmy! The beautiful game will now miss one of its greatest. Your incredible service to the sport has been nothing short of remarkable. Huge respect for you, GOAT.”
It is worth mentioning that Babar Azam and James Anderson squared off eight times in Test cricket. Anderson succeeded in dismissing Babar twice in the format, while the Pakistani batter scored 88 runs off the legendary cricketer’s bowling. James Anderson finished his Test career with 704 wickets in 188 Tests, the third-highest overall and the highest among pacers.