James Anderson, referred as “Jimmy Anderson” is an English cricketer known for his extraordinary swing bowling skills. He was born on 30th July, 1982. This Lancashire born man can literally make the red ball talk. He represented England in all formats of the game. Jimmy is acknowledged as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of test cricket. He holds the record for most wickets by a pace bowler in test cricket history. Just imagine, playing the game for almost 22 years as a fast bowler requires how much fitness! It was unimaginable until James Anderson has done it.
James Anderson’s career over the years!
James Anderson made his international debut for England in 2002 against Australia in an ODI match. Young Jimmy couldn’t make an impact in that match. Later he debuted in test cricket next year against Zimbabwe. While he is primarily known for his test career, Jimmy has also played 194 One day internationals and 19 T20Is for country, taking 269 and 18 wickets.
Anderson has been a part of four-time Ashes winning campaigns with England. While taking 117 wickets, Anderson played a crucial role in many of England’s victories over the years. Anderson has taken the most wickets by an English bowler in Ashes series. During that 2015 Ashes, Jimmy became England’s all-time leading wicket taker, surpassing Sir Ian Botham’s 383 wickets in the longest format of the game. His skills, longevity and ability to perform in high-pressure Ashes contests have made him one of England’s greatest fast bowlers and a significant figure in Ashes history.
Anderson is England’s all time highest wicket taker in test cricket, surpassing 700 wickets during his 22 years long cricketing career. Also, he holds the record for most test wickets by a fast bowler. James Anderson became the first English player to appear in 150 test matches, shows his fitness at the highest level of sport.
Many people say that, as he played most matches in English conditions that’s why he has a lots of wickets. This is totally wrong, Anderson’s success is not confined to home conditions; he has been very much effective in various environments. He has made significant contributions in various test series around the world with his of adaptability and ability to swing the ball both ways. Anderson has taken 438 wickets at home and 266 wickets outside England in test matches.
After the first test of the ongoing Eng vs WI series at Lords, James Anderson took his retirement from international cricket. He added 4 wickets to his tally in his final match. England won that match by an innings and 114 runs. While Gus Atkinson was named the Player of the Match for his sensational 12 wickets in his maiden test.
The Master of Swing: James Anderson
Anderson has surprised us cricket fans even more than he has surprised the batsman that how a fast bowler can dominate like this for 3 generations the way he did it. Whenever we talk about fast bowling, we talk about how much effectiveness a young fast bowler holds in his bowling in his prime and it wanes a bit over time but Anderson’s case was different. As time passed, his game and his dominance in test cricket kept improving.
Well, anything can happen in cricket, but maybe a bowler like James Anderson may never come again, because playing international cricket for 22 years, maintaining that fitness in international cricket till the age of 42 and taking 704 wickets in test cricket seems impossible for anyone. That shows his fitness, his dedication and love towards the game.
Well, this was the end of a Golden Era in test cricket. Farewell to the legend who redefined fast bowling and the fitness culture, an inspiration for all the young cricketers around the world.
“Cricket officially retires from James Anderson” – this shows the legacy of Anderson when people say it. Happy retirement Jimmy, test cricket will miss you!
Read more – James Anderson’s Farewell Test: First Pacer to Bowl 40,000 Balls in Test Cricket
How many wickets James Anderson has taken in test cricket?
704 wickets
