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
James Anderson; Beyond 704 Wickets
James Anderson has brought down the curtains to his career as England won by an innings and 114 runs. The cricketing fraternity has already started missing the man who represented England in 188 test matches, took 704 wickets at an average of 26.45 and an economy of 2.79. And how can one not remember his 32 5 wicket hauls and 3 10 wicket hauls. Well even after bowling 40,037 deliveries in his career, it’s not just his performance that the cricketing world will miss, but the unique style and character he brought to the game. A Hair Apparent James Anderson’s journey wasn’t just about the wickets; it was also about his distinct flair, evident in his ever-evolving hairstyles. Famously shy in his early days, Anderson’s bowling spoke volumes, but his haircuts became another form of self-expression. John Stanworth, Lancashire’s academy coach, once remarked, “He said absolutely zip all to me for two-and-a-half years,” highlighting Anderson’s reserved nature. However, his initial foray into the international scene was marked by frosted tips and a striking red ‘faux hawk’. During his early career, Anderson’s flamboyant hairstyles often garnered more attention than his on-field exploits. On a tour of Zimbabwe in 2004, he opted for a complete shave, emerging with a rebuilt action and a reliance on consistency rather than style. As he matured into England’s premier fast bowler, his hairstyles evolved, featuring a tight crop and a Morrissey-esque quiff. In 2018, Anderson surprised fans with an all-over platinum dye job, a mix of “part silver fox, part white owl,” which he attributed to “maybe a midlife crisis.“ As Anderson approached his 40s, his look evolved to a sophisticated salt-and-pepper style, though he continued to experiment. Recently, he sported a golden streak in his quiff, dubbed “Auburn Anderson” or “Fast Bowler Sunset.” When asked about bringing back the red streak for his Lord’s send-off, Anderson curtly responded, “Doesn’t look like it.“ The Sledging Maestro On the field, James Anderson’s mastery extended beyond the cricket ball to his sharp tongue. Known for his aggressive sledging, he often used it as a strategy to get into the minds of opposition batsmen. Alastair Cook, one of Anderson’s closest friends, recalled, “The only thing I can remember about our first meeting was that he called me everything under the sun.“ Sledging was Anderson’s way of engaging in a battle, and it sometimes revealed an edgier side to his game. One of the most notorious incidents was an altercation with Ravindra Jadeja in 2014, which nearly escalated into a diplomatic row. Anderson’s sledging repertoire included memorable jibes, such as repeatedly calling Michael Hussey “Dave” to irk the Australian batsman. Hussey acknowledged Anderson as “probably a bit smarter” than most sledgers he had encountered. Some of Anderson’s sledging exchanges became legendary. During the 2010-11 series, Mitchell Johnson’s taunt, “Why are you chirping now, mate? Not getting any wickets?” was swiftly answered when Anderson bowled Ryan Harris next ball and silenced Johnson with a finger to his lips. Media Savvy and Emotional Moments Despite his gruff on-field persona, Anderson’s off-field demeanor showed a different side. His friendship with Graeme Swann brought out a playful aspect, seen in their antics on Swanny’s Ashes Diary and the popular BBC 5 Live show “Not Just Cricket.” His transition from player to pundit was seamless, highlighted by his role in the “Tailenders” podcast with Greg James and Felix White. Anderson’s tough exterior often hid a softer side. Known for his emotional moments, he famously broke down during a post-match presentation at Headingley in 2014 after a narrow defeat to Sri Lanka. He fought back tears again in 2018 after taking the final wicket in Alastair Cook’s farewell Test. Reflecting on his career, Anderson hinted at more tears during his final match. “Big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win. That’s what I’m trying to focus on to stop myself crying,” he shared with a smile. As James Anderson steps away from the game, the cricketing world comes to a halt and bids farewell to a player who was not just a master of swing and seam but also a charismatic figure with memorable haircuts and legendary sledging. Thank you Jimmy. You will be missed. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
ENG vs WI: James Anderson’s Last Week At The Office.
England’s legendary paceman, James Anderson is set to bid farewell to international cricket after playing the first test match against the West Indies. As he steps onto the field at the Lord’s for his 188th and final test match, the cricketing world celebrates the remarkable journey of one of England’s most storied bowlers. A Cinematic Career James Anderson’s career has been nothing short of cinematic. Debuting in 2003, Anderson quickly established himself as a linchpin of England’s bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways, combined with his exceptional control and consistency, made him a formidable opponent for batsmen worldwide. Throughout his career, Anderson achieved numerous milestones that solidified his place among the cricketing greats. He became the first English bowler to reach the 600-wicket mark in Test cricket and is only the third bowler in history of test match cricket to take 700 wickets. His longevity in the sport is highlighted by his ability to maintain peak performance well into his late 30s, a rarity among fast bowlers. ANDERSON – A SYNONYM TO SPEED CATEGORY MATCHES 7th Fastest To 450 Test Match Wickets 115 Matches 7th Fastest To 500 Test Match Wickets 129 Matches 4th Fastest To 600 Test Match Wickets 156 Matches 3rd Fastest To 700 Test Match Wickets 187 Matches James Anderson’s contributions have been pivotal in many of England’s memorable victories. His iconic spells, especially in Ashes series, have left an indelible mark on the sport. As he prepares to hang up his boots, Anderson leaves behind a legacy of excellence, inspiring future generations of cricketers. ANDERSON – A CRICKETING LEGEND CATEGORY STAT 2nd Most Test Matches In A Career 187 3rd Most Test Match Runs In An Innings By A Number 11 Batter 81 vs India 3rd Most Test Match Wickets On A Single Ground 119 at Lords 7th Player With Most Five Wickets In An Innings In A Career 32 Hauls 30th Player With Most Ten Wickets In A Match In A Career 3 Hauls 16th Oldest Player To Take Five Wickets In An Innings 39y 336d 42nd Oldest Player To Take Ten Wickets In A Match 33y 294d As James Anderson prepares to bring down the curtains on his illustrious career, his achievements and records will continue to inspire and set benchmarks for cricketers around the world. His final appearance in the test match arena marks the end of an era for English cricket, however his legacy will endure for generations to come. The Sportz Plane Desk,Atharva Shetye
