Former Australian skipper Michael Clarke commended England pacer James Anderson for his exceptional performance in the second Test against India. James Anderson is making a statement to the World Cricket that age is just a number as in the ever changing landscape of cricket, cricketers are retiring from the red ball format in order to play franchise cricket.
After being sidelined for the first Test in Hyderabad, Anderson was drafted into England’s playing XI for the Vizag match, replacing Mark Wood. The seasoned right-arm pacer quickly found his rhythm, delivering an impressive performance with figures of 3/47 in the first innings. Despite England’s defeat by 106 runs, Anderson continued to shine in the second innings, securing 2/29 in 10 overs.
James Anderson is a significant part of England cricket team- Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke, speaking on ESPNCricinfo, emphasized that Anderson’s performance in India underscores his enduring value outside his home country.
“His record in England is crazy, out of control but there’s always a talk that he can only play in his own backyard. But he continues to show that’s not the case. He’s a significant part of this team as well. Stokes and McCullum really like him being in and around the group. And if he keeps bowling like he did at Vizag, he has a lot more cricket left in him,” Clarke said.
James Anderson, currently the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history with 695 dismissals, trails only Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800). Remarkably, Anderson maintains a superb average of 24.50 in matches played at home, while also holding a respectable average of 30.22 in away Tests.
Indeed, James Anderson’s performance in India is commendable, having taken 39 wickets in 14 Tests at an average of 27.51.
A big part of greatness is longevity and he has had that– Michael Clarke on James Anderson
Michael Clarke lauded James Anderson’s enduring career in cricket, citing it as the hallmark of his greatness as a player. Anderson, who made his Test debut for England in June 2003, recently became the oldest pace bowler to feature in a Test match in India during the second Test in Vizag.
Regarding Anderson’s capacity to maintain a high level of performance at the age of 41, Clarke commented,
“Phenomenal effort with the physical and mental demands for a fast bowler being more than a batter. A big part of greatness is longevity and he has had that. He has gone through the highs and lows and despite some injuries, to be able to play this amount of cricket over so long is phenomenal. He showed his class and skill in that second Test,”
James Anderson’s legacy in Test cricket is further solidified by his record as the leading wicket-taker against India, having claimed a remarkable 144 scalps in matches against them. Across his illustrious career spanning 184 Tests, Anderson has amassed an impressive tally of 32 five-wicket hauls, showcasing his ability to consistently trouble batsmen. His best bowling figures of 7/42 were achieved against the West Indies, underscoring his mastery with the ball in hand.