IND v ENG: India Comes Supreme Against England’s Bazball
India produced a clinical performance in the first T20I against England, with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory at Eden Gardens. India Spinners Dominant With The Ball Winning the toss, India elected to field all three frontline spinners, a decision that became a masterstroke as they bundled England for just 132 runs. Arshdeep Singh provided the initial breakthrough, and Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and Ravi Bishnoi started to strangle the Englishmen in the middle overs. Chakravarthy’s impressive 3 for 23 was the highlight, while Arshdeep’s 2 for 17 made him India’s leading wicket-taker in T20Is. India Spinners Thrash England’s Batting Line-up The English batting line-up struggled against India’s spinners, with Jos Buttler’s 68 off 44 balls being the only notable contribution. The English middle order faltered as the spinners worked their magic. While Buttler briefly gave some hope to his team with a 48-run stand with Harry Brook, Chakravarthy sent back both Brook and Liam Livingstone in quick succession, leaving the tourists in a precarious position. Even Archer’s 12 down the order could not make the total look threatening for England, as India’s bowlers dominated the proceedings. Abhishek Sharma’s Rampage At The Top Of The Order India’s chase of 133 was never in doubt, as the openers chased the target. Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma came out all guns blazing, with the latter playing a blistering knock of 79 off just 34 balls. Abhishek’s innings was a display of clean hitting, with 68 of his runs coming in boundaries, including 8 sixes and 5 fours. Archer did manage to dismiss both Samson and Suryakumar Yadav in quick succession, but Abhishek continued to dominate, effectively sealing the win for India. India’s Fielding As Tight As Security Of A Prison While batting, India centered its action. India’s fielding was also spectacular. A brilliant diving full-stretch catch from Nitish Kumar Reddy took away the chances from Jos Buttler to play much more from deep. The catching was made harder when Ben Duckett found it on his bat, that too by Rinku Singh, a contribution crucial to win for the Indian side and clearly highlight the differences between both sides of playing this game. India Exploits England’s Vulnerability In the first T20I, England batters failed against India’s spin attack. The tourists could not read the lengths and lines of the Indian spinners, which cost them dearly as only Buttler showed the necessary skill to counter the spinners. On the other hand, India’s spinners were able to maintain pressure, suffocating the English batsmen with a combination of accuracy and variety. India Takes 1-0 Lead In The T20I Series This complete victory puts India at the helm of the five-match T20I series. Both the teams would be now traveling to Chennai for the second T20I. England has to quickly regroup and figure out how to score against India’s spin bowling. India’s all-round performance left them miles ahead of the competition. Will India continue to establish their dominance or will England bounce back with a win in the second T20I of the series?? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND v ENG: T20I Series To Test Limits Of The Shortest Format
India and England prepare to clash in a five-match T20I series starting today, January 22, 2025. While India seems to have things under control, England finds itself struggling to show the full potential of its white-ball squad. India’s Smooth Sail In T20Is Since dominating Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and making short work of South Africa. While key players, such as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have bid adieu to the T20I circuit, Team India still looks to include new talent very effectively, as though nothing has ever been changed. A Bumpy Ride For England In T20Is England’s path has been a far more difficult one. Since their glorious 2022 T20 World Cup triumph, the Three Lions haven’t been able to ensure consistent performances at ICC events, and now, with Brendon McCullum in charge, they are looking to redefine the current team and realize their ‘untapped’ potential. Challenges In T20I For Coach McCullum It is Brendon McCullum’s first white-ball series as a coach for England, which presents an ideal situation to squeeze every drop from the talent-packed team containing players such as Jos Buttler, Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone. Meanwhile, India’s T20I coach, Gautam Gambhir, believes his side’s recent test match defeats would have little to no effect on the confidence levels. Breaking Boundaries Between Forms This series comes at a time when the lines between T20I and ODI formats are increasingly blurred. With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, both teams will be keen to test their players in the shortest format, which could potentially open doors for future ODI spots. England’s Power-Packed T20I Squad England’s side is chock-full of firepower. Batting at No. 3, Jos Buttler has some explosive batting below him in the form of Liam Livingstone and dynamic Harry Brook. In attack, they have one of the most potent fast-bowling attacks in Jofra Archer and Mark Wood. Their squad, as deep as it is destructive, is a force to be reckoned with against India. India’s Selection Dilemmas India, on the other hand, has a lot of decisions to take, especially with their spinners and batting depth. The bowling unit looks quite solid with the seam attack with Arshdeep Singh, Hardik Pandya, and Mohammed Shami. The choice of spinners is still unsure with Varun Chakravarthy, Axar Patel, and the likes of Ravi Bishnoi in the selection mix. Pitch Conditions The Eden Garden pitch is looking like a heaven for batsmen with true bounce along with small boundaries and loads of dew which shall ensure high scoring games. According to the coaches of both the teams, they acknowledged that the real challenge lies here in getting their players to adapt to these conditions. Most probably dew might play its tricks, especially while playing the second innings. Expectations From The First IND v ENG T20I The first T20I is definitely going to be an exciting start of what is waiting to be a thrilling series. As both teams try to prove their dominance in T20I format, the fans are in for a big, high-octane contest full of big hits and nail-biting finishes. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
IND v ENG: Bazball Has Arrived
Jos Buttler and his men from England have arrived to take on the Indian Cricket Team for an exciting white ball series comprising five T20Is and three ODIs starting January 22, 2025 at the Eden gardens, Kolkata. The audiences are anticipating England to play Bazball. However, let’s understand what Bazball really is. What Does “Bazball” In Cricket Mean? Bazball is the aggressive game of cricket, more so in test match cricket. In cricketing terms, this means playing the fearless attacking game of cricket making a flurry of quick runs scored by taking risks with a positive approach. This was coined after former New Zealand cricketer Brendon McCullum, infamously known as “Baz” while he came up with that style of game during his time as coach for the England men’s test team. Is Bazball Only Limited To Test Match Cricket? Not really. Bazball, in simple terms, means an aggressive style of playing cricket. Be it test matches, ODI’s or even T20’s. Delivering with aggression with an aim to score quickly in the shortest time possible can be described as Bazball. We have seen England playing Bazball not only in test match cricket, but also in ODI’s and T20’s as well. What Is The History Of Bazball In The Back? Bazball was an invention of that time when Brendon McCullum took the mantle of the head coach of the England men’s cricket team in 2022. From then to date, it is when the bold, aggressive nature of Brendon McCullum began to emerge before everyone’s eyes since the players of England started imbibing it in themselves and giving a completely different turn to the game. The term does not only express a style but actually encompasses a mindset – the essence is to take bold decisions and carry strategic attacking movements. Why Is Brendon McCullum Called As The ‘Architect Of Bazball’? Brendon McCullum is aggressive, in his cricketing leadership, cricketer-captain-turned-coach of New Zealand with aggressive batting style. He as a coach of the England test cricket team brought the attitude towards playing cricket with aggression in the simplest and yet most positive way one could enjoy oneself in while playing. The philosophy scribbled at the back reads: negativity avoided while preserving a win attitude, under the command of Ben Stokes. How Has Bazball Helped The Success Of The England Cricket Team? Bazball has transformed the way England plays cricket entirely. It is a much more exciting and dynamic game. The aggressive style brings fresh energy to the team and that is beginning to reflect in performances and international attention. Bazball is being moulded under the philosophy of Brendon McCullum and under the leadership of Ben Stokes. However, England’s limited overs skipper, Jos Buttler also believes to attack right from the word-go. That exciting brand of cricket will be seen when England and India clash in a white ball series in January 2025. Is Bazball a thing that really fascinates you or do you feel that such aggressive intent towards the game is harmful in the long run? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Which Team Will Make It To The WTC25 Final?
With only 15 test matches left in the current WTC cycle, the battle for the top two has really heated up. No side yet, is guaranteed a place in the WTC25 final and several teams still have a shot at landing one of the coveted spots. Here’s how the teams are shaping up as they go into the final stretch: South Africa Percent: 59.26, matches remaining: SL (1 home Test), PAK (2 home) A big win for South Africa at Durban has put them in a good position, but they still need to pick up more points to guarantee qualification to the WTC25 final. If they lose to Sri Lanka but win both their remaining Tests against Pakistan, then they would still have a fair chance of qualification with 61.11%. However, the two teams that could surpass them both are Sri Lanka and India. If South Africa somehow draw their second Test against Sri Lanka and then beat Pakistan 1-0, things would be much safer than they are now. In this best-case scenario, winning each of their next two series could guarantee them a place at the final, with only a possibility of Australia and India outscoring them. Sri Lanka Percent: 50.00, matches remaining: SA (1 away Test), AUS (2 home) Sri Lanka’s loss in Durban has complicated their route to the WTC25 final. They can get a maximum of 61.54% if they win their remaining three tests, which will guarantee them a spot in the final. However if they lose another test, they will rely on other teams’ performances as South Africa, India and Australia could surpass them. In order to stay ahead of the pack, Sri Lanka should aim to win the series against South Africa and Australia in their last matches. New Zealand Percent: 50.00, matches remaining: ENG (2 home) New Zealand’s chances are somewhat doused by its dismal performance in Christchurch, reducing their highest possible points to 57.14%. Though this leaves them a thin chance, they still have a mathematical chance to be in the WTC25 final. For instance, if the Australia-India series goes 1-1 and other series end in draws, New Zealand will top the table. However they would need a number of results to go in their favor to qualify and will rely on a series win against England for their hopes. India Percent: 61.11, matches remaining: AUS (4 away) A dominant win in Perth has increased India’s chances of qualifying into the final, however they need to finish strong in the remaining series against Australia. To be confirmed for a place in the WTC25 finals, India need to win three out of four remaining tests at Australia. In case India wins 3-0, it would get more points than Sri Lanka’s best achievable points and also would stand better than South Africa. While it has lesser points, they might also qualify among top two. However this all greatly depends on other teams. India’s fate is tied not only to their own results but also to the performances of South Africa, Australia and Sri Lanka. Australia Percent: 57.69, matches remaining: Ind (4 home Tests), SL (2 away) Australia’s loss to India in Perth has placed them under pressure. With their remaining six tests, they need four wins and a draw to stay in the hunt. If they win both the home series against India and Sri Lanka, they will exceed Sri Lanka’s maximum potential points. However Australia can finish at the top two only if they make their remaining series spotless, especially the one against Sri Lanka in the away series. Even if India wins 3-2 in the current series, Australia may finish ahead as they would have swept Sri Lanka. Pakistan Percent: 33.33, matches remaining: SA (2 away), WI (2 home) Pakistan’s revival at home has come too late in the cycle. Their maximum possible points of 52.38% still leave them with slim chances of qualification. To even have a chance, they would need several results to go their way. If Sri Lanka and New Zealand fail to go well in their remaining series, Pakistan may still end up in the running for a second-place finish. However, even a perfect record in their last four Tests most likely will not be enough to secure them a place in the final without other results working in their favor. England Percent: 43.75, matches remaining: NZ (2 away) England’s hopes of qualification are very low however not impossible. They now stand at 43.75% after their win in Christchurch, which means that there is very little margin for error. Still, on paper, they can mathematically finish second if all the other results go in their favor. If India loses all the remaining tests and South Africa and Sri Lanka do not garner enough points, England could sneak into second place. However, their chances of qualification for the WTC25 final are extremely low. Bangladesh and West Indies (Eliminated) Both Bangladesh and the West Indies are effectively out of the running for the top two positions in the WTC25 and their points and results aren’t enough to challenge the leaders. As the last 15 test matches take place, the battle for a place in the WTC25 final at Lord’s is bound to intensify. South Africa, Sri Lanka and India have a shot at it, whereas Australia, New Zealand and Pakistan still have a very slim chance. A few results will determine who finally goes to the final however one thing is sure, the race to the final of the WTC25 is wide open. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024: A Team-by-Team Preview
The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to get underway from the 3rd to the 20th of October, 2024 at Sharjah and Dubai. Ten teams would be rubbing their shoulders against each other to have their hands on that elusive title at the Dubai International Stadium on 20th October, 2024. Let’s quickly go through the 10 participating teams in this edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. India India had to face a setback in the 2023 semi-final in an incredible game against Australia at Cape Town. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is where they will look to repeat that for a second final appearance and possibly a first title win. Australia Four times in a row, Australia come in as the tournament favorites, after dominating the competition in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, which they won for the sixth time in South Africa. The Australians have never lost since 2020 and are expected to try to maintain the grip on the trophy. England Traditionally a strong team, England made its debut as champions in 2009 and will expect an easy comeback from the loss in the semi-finals of last year. England has made it to the final thrice since winning their first title. Hence, they are again one of the favorites to win. South Africa South Africa, the runners-up of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023, are going to try that little extra inch further this time round since they managed history to make it to the very first final of their lives. They have all it takes to go deep again, and a rightful push to attain their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup trophy. New Zealand New Zealand have been the runners-up in 2009 and 2010. The Kiwis do have a good account of World Cup performances, and they would be looking to get it to the final this time around. Qualification increased following their crushing victories against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the fag end of last year. West Indies West Indies, champions in 2016, qualified solely based on their group play in South Africa. The Caribbean team will look to reignite the good old days with another title victory. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka qualified by winning the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Qualifier. Having done quite well in 2023, where they opened with a win over South Africa, they will look forward to delivering when it matters the most this time around. Scotland The only first-time team participating in this event is Scotland, which gained qualification through the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier. This is actually the first taste of action on the world stage for the team. Pakistan Pakistan had qualified as the highest-ranked side, not including those that had otherwise already qualified for the event. As first-timers to the semis, they will look to make it big in the 2024 edition. Bangladesh Bangladesh, who had qualified as hosts before the competition was switched to the UAE, start against Scotland at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. It is Bangladesh’s sixth visit to the tournament; however, they have failed to go beyond the group stage so far. With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 round the corner, teams are in full preparations to make their presence felt in the tournament. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Brendon McCullum: The Maverick Who Gave England “Bazball”
Few in the cricketing world had an idea of what they would go through when Brendon McCullum took over as head of England’s test team in 2022. Enter Bazball-a form of cricket that queries, “Why tap it for a single when you can belt it for six?” The affectionately named “Baz” McCullum shook the very fibers of test match cricket with the addition of a relentlessly aggressive attitude. And guess what? It is working just like a treat! McCullum’s fearless philosophy soon saw England’s fortunes turned around, surging forward to win more than 70% of their Test matches by 2024, however even more spectacularly, his close partnership with England test Captain, Ben Stokes turned England into an unbeatable force: Batman and Robin against the best that world cricket has to offer. Think of them-thwacking cricket balls into the stands-getting test matches to be a must-watch piece of TV, instead of a fight against crime. Test Match Cricket Revamped With McCullum’s arrival, test cricket-which was in danger of being termed a “snooze fest”-got a much-needed wake-up call. The matches of England have now transformed into blockbusters, with spectators anticipating, “How soon this time will England send the opposition packing?” His aggression combined with a penchant for taking audacious risks has transformed England into a red-ball juggernaut. Next Stop: White-Ball Set-Up Just when you thought Bazball was the end of it, McCullum is now going to conquer ODI and T20 cricket, starting from 2025. This could just be the doctor’s prescription that England’s recently misfiring limited-overs teams need. He has experience in franchise cricket, guiding teams such as the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Trinbago Knight Riders (TKR) and he clearly has the chops to bring back the white-ball magic for England. So, is Bazball going to move from Test triumphs to white-ball wonders? One thing for sure, with McCullum at the helm, it’s going to be one wild ride. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
What Is The Hundred And How Is It Changing The Dynamics Of Cricket?
What Is The Hundred? The Hundred is a thrilling 100-ball cricket extravaganza that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats. This action-packed tournament features world-class players and some of the biggest names in cricket from around the globe. Teams and Format The 100 ball competition showcases eight city-based teams, each with a men’s and women’s squad competing alongside each other over five weeks every English summer. The teams include Birmingham Phoenix (Edgbaston), London Spirit (Lord’s), Manchester Originals (Emirates Old Trafford), Northern Superchargers (Headingley), Oval Invincibles (The Kia Oval), Southern Brave (Utilita Bowl), Trent Rockets (Trent Bridge) and Welsh Fire (Sophia Gardens). Each squad consists of 15 players, with a maximum of four overseas stars and no more than two centrally contracted England players in the Men’s Competition. Player Selection Process The selection of players is an exciting aspect of The Hundred. A Draft system allocates players to each men’s team, ensuring a fair and thrilling selection process. The women’s teams have a bespoke player selection process tailored to their competition’s unique needs, adding another layer of excitement for fans. Unique 100-Ball Format The Hundred introduces a format with 100 balls per innings, where the team scoring the most runs wins. Key features of the format include fielding side changes after every 10 balls, flexible bowling with bowlers delivering either five or 10 consecutive balls as decided by the captain and a maximum of 20 balls per match for each bowler. Each bowling side gets a 90-second strategic timeout, allowing the coach to discuss tactics mid-match. A 25-ball powerplay for each team, with only two fielders allowed outside the initial 30-yard circle, makes the game even more dynamic. Each match lasts approximately two and a half hours, making for a fast-paced and exciting viewing experience. Player Salaries The Hundred sets competitive salary bands to attract top talent. For 2024, the women’s salary bands range from £50,000 for the top two players to £8,000 for three players, ensuring a broad range of compensation. The men’s salary bands for 2024 remain unchanged from 2023, with top players earning £125,000, including one England Centrally Contracted Player, down to £30,000 for three players. Where To Watch The Hundred In India? Enthusiasts can watch The Hundred 2024 on the Sony Sports Network television across different languages. Fans can also live stream The Hundred 2024 on the Sony LIV app and on FanCode. The Hundred offers an unmissable blend of fast-paced action and top-tier cricket, making it a must-watch event every summer. With its unique format and star-studded teams, it is set to revolutionize the way fans experience cricket. Also read about IPL franchise owners showing interests in investing in The Hundred here. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ENG vs WI: For The First Time Since 2012, England Will Play A Home Test Without Either James Anderson Or Stuart Broad
England have named their lineup for the second test match against the West Indies at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham starting on Thursday, 18th of July, 2024. Fast bowler Mark Wood has been recalled in place of James Anderson who called time on his cricketing career last week following a massive victory against the West Indies at the Lord’s. Wood missed the first Test after being part of the England squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in June. The 34-year-old has taken 108 wickets in 34 Tests and will form a pacey pairing alongside Gus Atkinson, with Chris Woakes the other specialist seamer. England Squad For The 2nd Test Match Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (capt) Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Mark Wood, Shoaib Bashir. England Without Anderson And Broad Indeed, this will be England’s first home Test without at least one of Anderson or Broad in their side since 2012. Anderson and Broad, who together claimed 1,308 wickets, have exited the test match cricket scene in back-to-back summers as England moves forward. In the 138 Tests where they both played, they took over 1,000 wickets, with Anderson securing 537 and Broad 502, at an average of 26.73 combined. Anderson achieved 26 five-wicket hauls in these matches, compared to Broad’s 17. Notably, Broad’s career-best figures of 8-15 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2015 were achieved without Anderson in the team. Click here to read more on James Anderson’s legacy with the ball. England Without Anderson And Broad England’s effort to find replacements for the Anderson-Broad duo will start at the Trent Bridge, Nottingham as the Three Lions face the Caribbean in the second test match of the English summer. Well one thing remains sure, filling these big boots is certainly going to be the real test for England. England have a couple of fast bowling youngsters in the pipeline and coach Brendon Mccullum has a major task on his to-do-list. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
EURO 2024 Final: Spain’s Forward Lamine Yamal Wins Young Player of the Year
Spain’s forward Lamine Yamal won the Young Player of the Year after his side beat England 2-1 in the Euro 2024 final at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany, on Sunday. A Record-Breaking Performance A day after his 17th birthday, Spain’s rising star, Lamine Yamal, was thrust into the spotlight as he started in the Euro 2024 final against England. Not only did he shine in the match, but he also made history, becoming the youngest player to ever participate in a major international final—a record previously held by the legendary Pele since the 1958 World Cup final. A Tournament of Milestones Lamine Yamal has been breaking records throughout the European Championship. At the start of the tournament, he became the youngest player ever to start in a European Championship match during Spain’s opening game against Croatia. His talent continued to shine brightly as he scored in the semi-final against France, making him the youngest scorer in the competition’s history. An Interesting Twist Interestingly, Yamal’s participation in the final could have been cut short if the match had gone into extra time. German law restricts anyone under 18 from working past 11 pm, which means Spain would have faced a fine if Yamal continued playing beyond this time. Fortunately, Spain clinched the victory within regulation time, winning 2-1 with goals from Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal, so this wasn’t an issue. With this victory, Lamine Yamal now holds the title of the youngest player to ever win the European Championship. His contribution to Spain’s triumph under the guidance of coach Luis de la Fuente has been immense, and his future looks incredibly bright as he continues to make his mark on the football world. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
James Anderson; From Lord’s 2003 To Lord’s 2024, And Everything In Between
On the morning of 22nd of May, 2003, England announced a shy but cheeky young debutante in their playing 11 against Zimbabwe at Lords. 21 years down the line on the 12th of July, 2024, the same lad walked out of the Lord’s Long Room for the one final time in his career. This time as a confident and a decent man. The crowd was in tears. James Anderson played his final Test for England against the West Indies, capping off his remarkable career with a memorable performance. In the first Test at Lord’s, England outclassed the West Indies, winning by an innings and 114 runs in just three days. Anderson took four wickets and led England towards victory. This feat made him the second-highest wicket-taker against the West Indies in test matches, with a total of 91 wickets. Throughout his career, Anderson delivered outstanding performances against various nations, especially those where he took 90 or more test match wickets. Dominance Against India Anderson took an impressive 149 wickets in 39 matches while playing against India, averaging 25.47. He notched up six five-wicket hauls with his best being 5/20. He was particularly effective at home, taking 105 wickets at an average of 23.46. In away matches, he claimed 44 wickets at an average of 30.27. Ashes Heroics Against Australia For every Englishman, the Ashes series against Australia is always the pinnacle and so was the case with Anderson. He was a consistent force. Anderson picked up 117 wickets in 39 matches at an average of 35.97, with his best figures being 6/47. He achieved five five-wicket hauls and one ten-wicket match haul. In 21 test matches in Australia, he took 68 wickets at an average of 34.01. In England, he secured 49 wickets at 38.69. Mastering South Africa South Africa is always a tough challenge. Anderson appeared in 29 tests and took 103 wickets at an average of 30.07 against South Africa. His record includes four five-wicket hauls, with a best performance of 5/40. Among pace bowlers, he is the highest wicket-taker against South Africa and ranks third overall, behind Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. At home, he claimed 69 wickets, with 34 more taken in away matches. Conquering the West Indies Anderson’s remarkable performance against the West Indies saw him surpass Kapil Dev to become the second-highest wicket-taker against the men in maroon in test match cricket. He ended with 91 wickets from 23 matches at an average of 22.25, including five five-wicket hauls, with his best being 7/42. In total, Anderson wrapped up his Test career with an extraordinary 704 wickets from 188 matches, maintaining an average of 26.45. His achievements have cemented his place as one of cricket’s greatest bowlers. OPPONENT MATCHES WICKETS AVERAGE BEST FIGURES 5 WICKET HAULS 10 WICKET HAULS India 39 149 25.47 5-20 6 0 Australia 39 117 35.97 6-47 5 1 South Africa 29 103 30.07 5-40 4 0 West Indies 23 91 22.25 7-42 5 0 Anderson vs The Rest Of The Teams James Anderson managed to grab 84 wickets against New Zealand, 82 against Pakistan, 58 against Sri Lanka, 11 against Zimbabwe and 9 while playing against Bangladesh. Apart from these stats, James Anderson also has 5 other unique records under his belt. Most Wickets Caught by Wicket-Keeper James Anderson holds the record for the most wickets caught behind by a wicket-keeper in Test matches, with 249 out of his 704 wickets. He is also second only to Muttiah Muralitharan, who has 167 bowled dismissals, with Anderson achieving 137. Second Most Five-Wicket Hauls for a Fast Bowler At 41 years of age, James Anderson has achieved 32 five-wicket hauls in his career, making him the sixth highest in the history of cricket. The only fast bowler ahead of him is New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee, who has 36 five-wicket hauls. Exclusive Century Club at a Single Venue James Anderson is one of only four bowlers in Test history to have taken 100 wickets at a single venue. He has claimed 123 wickets in 29 matches at Lord’s, London. The others in this elite group are Muttiah Muralitharan (166 at Colombo, 117 at Kandy), Rangana Herath (111 at Galle), and Stuart Broad (113 at Lord’s). Leading Fast Bowler in Wickets With 704 wickets, James Anderson is the highest wicket-taking fast bowler of all time. His closest rival among pacers is his English teammate Stuart Broad, who has 604 wickets. Second Most Test Matches Played James Anderson has played 188 Test matches, the second most in the history of the game. The only player with more Test appearances is India’s Sachin Tendulkar, who has played 200 Tests. Well this was James Anderson and his career which was no less than a cinema. As the cricketing public acknowledges greatness, Jimmy Anderson leaves the game. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
