If you think age has anything to do with the performance on the pitch, well think again because this man right here is the no.1 Test bowler in the world at the age of 40! The face of pace bowling for this generation, the evergreen James Anderson has reigned the area of his prowess for the past 20 years with no signs of stopping. Currently, the speedster has 685 wickets to his name.
The GOAT of English cricket, James Anderson has been spitting fire in the ongoing series against New Zealand having scraped 7 wickets including a 4/18 spell in the first test at Mount Maunganui, claiming his deserved spot at the top again. James Anderson in the 2nd Test match created havoc by taking 3 wickets for 37 runs in 10 overs where the Black Caps are reeling at 138-7.
“Anderson’s record, as yet unfinished and incomplete, will never be broken”
While his greatness is non-questionable, former English captain Mike Atherton has claimed that his record of most wickets of a fast bowler will never be broken
“No fast bowler will take more wickets than James Anderson in Test cricket again. Ever. Records are there to be broken; faster, stronger, higher ,and all that, but I have absolute conviction that James Anderson’s record, as yet unfinished and incomplete, will never be broken. As long as Test cricket is played (which may not be that long, hence part of the certainty) James Anderson will stand tall, looking down on the rest.” said Atherton
“It is a remarkable achievement for anyone to become recognized as the world’s best, but to do so at 40 years of age, in a pursuit that is among the most physically demanding of any sport, is magnificent. It has taken Anderson 178 Tests to reach his present number of wickets. No cricketer will play that number in future; certainly no fast bowler.” he stated.
“Anderson’s average (25.94) does not stand out, but the longevity he has shown in a sport that has become increasingly demanding is an outlier. He will probably pass 700 Test wickets before he is done and no fast bowler will ever get close to that again. Ever.” he added.
The evergreen speedster!
In a career that began against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in May 2003 and has since encompassed 178 Test appearances and 682 wickets, James Anderson has reached the top of the rankings six times. He is currently ranked third all-time after spinners Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitdharan (800) .
When it comes to fast bowlers no one stands near the tall figure, with an average of 25.94, 32 five- wicket hauls and three 10-wicket match hauls have the most number of wickets in the longest format, followed by his compatriot Stuart Broad (571), and Aussie legend Glenn McGrath (563).
A nightmare for the best of the batters in the world, James Anderson also reached the 250+ away wickets club, as he collected 18 wickets in the four away tests against Pakistan and New Zealand recently. Save to say, aging like a fine wine is a quote truly written for this man!
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