Two
decades ago, a blonde headed bowler from Lancashire made his debut in a
triangular match at Melbourne Cricket Ground, twenty summers down the line he
has accomplished what no pace bowler have ever achieved in the game of cricket,
Abhishek Srivastava pay tribute to evergreen and master of longevity James Anderson
who sits on mount Everest of cricket with 690 wickets after a marathon stint of
183 Tests
 |
| James Anderson and Stuart Broad were cricketing pair made in heaven |
Longevity
is the key to success.” - Ed Seykota. For years people have undermined
longevity, ignoring the fact that to sustain yourself for a longer period you
need to be consistently good. Things have started to change in recent years
with people acknowledging the fact that it is quotient of greatness. This
becomes even more crucial in Sports where the career spans are limited.
It
is one of the reasons why James Anderson must be applauded. There might be
bigger names than him who have played cricket before him and during his era.
But the fact, he has played International Cricket as a pace bowler for 20 years
is something to be applauded. There are
only few who can match with quantity and quality that he has produced over the
years.
 |
| 15th Dec 2002- A 20 Year Old Anderson making his debut |
It
is true that playing for England has its own advantages. The England and Wales
Cricket Board (ECB) is the second richest board in cricket behind BCCI. It plays
most number of Test matches and provides very lucrative central contracts to
its Test players. But on the other hand,
there are number of challenges as well. You need to consistently prove yourself
among the press and public and if you somehow survive from them, you to hold on
amid a gruelling International Schedule which breaks your body in pieces by the
end of your career.
England
have seen number of careers cut through injuries or fatigue -Darren Gough,
Dominic Cork, Stev Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, Simon Jones, all of the could
have achieved much more in their careers. This is a prime reason why Anderson
and Stuart Broad should be applauded, not for their excellence with ball but
the longevity of their careers as well.
 |
| On Test debut vs Zimbabwe in May 2003 |
Anderson
started his International Career on 15th Dec 2002 as a 20-year-old,
against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
His performance in the Triangular series earned him a call for the World
Cup in South Africa where his skills were on display against Pakistan, whose
premier batsmen were blown away in a spell of 4-29.
Three
months later still only 20, he played his First Test against Zimbabwe, a five
wicket haul ensured a fairytale entry to Test Cricket. Everything seemed on
upward curve till he was injured and then failed to find the same rhythm. Over
the course of next 5 years, Anderson played only 20 Tests and had 62 wickets at
39.20. He was more successful in ODI Cricket, leading England’s attack with 121
wickets in 86 ODIS at an average of 29.25.
The
2008, New Zealand tour proved historic for England, they not only won the
series in New Zealand by 2-1 but it also signalled the change of guard in
English Cricket. The Pair of Matthew Hoggard and Stev Harmison was dropped
marking the end of an era in English Cricket. With 0-1 down, England had young
James Anderson and Stuart Broad included in the team to assist Ryan Sidebottom.
Anderson took 5-73 and since then has never looked back.
2010
was game changer for Anderson, from being a good seam bowler, his performance
all over the world put him among the best. After picking 23 wickets in 4 Tests
at home against Pakistan in 3-1 series win, he was pivotal in England’s
historic series win in Australia, later that year, picking up 24 wickets.
England have won in Australia after a gap of 24 years. The 3-1 Ashes win is
still among the highlights of Anderson’s career.
 |
| Anderson's career revived in Wellington 2008, it was here he and Broad started their partnership |
In
2012, England won the series in India by 2-1, a major milestone in English
Cricket. Anderson’s excellent bowling helped the spinners to build the
pressure. By next year Anderson has notched up 300 Test wickets and was already
ranked as one of the greatest English bowler.
Anderson
broke Sir Ian Botham’s record of 383 Test Wicket (the highest by an Englishman)
in 2015 in what was his 100th Test.
Anderson
took his 500th Wicket against West Indies in 2017 and the 600th
Wicket in 2020 against Pakistan. While the cricket experts have predicted his
career be over by the age of 35-36 (i.e in 2017-18) he has played much beyond.
He is 41 now and defied all the expectations.
Anderson’s
career is one of the unique one and he shall not be celebrated only for his
wickets but for his excellence and longevity and stamina to sustain for a
period of almost 21 years.
 |
| There were number of difficult days in his career- here he is on Sri Lanka tour -December 2007 |
His
contemporaries in the most Test played list are either batsmen or spinners (
those who have played over 130 Tests) along with his long time bowling partner
Stuart Broad, the duo are the only pacers to have played more than 150 Tests.
It
might be that the Ashes might be his last series not because he has lost the
zing but may be because the body now needs break from the rigours of
International Cricket, those arms, those legs which have ran almost 50,000
times in Cricket needs rest.
 |
| With 269 ODI Wickets, Anderson is no.1 for England in ODI Cricket as well |
The
Time might have come but is Cricket and especially English Cricket is
emotionally ready to give farewell to one of the finest that ever graced the
cricketing field.
James Anderson’s Test Career
|
Format |
Matches |
Balls |
Runs |
Wickets |
Average |
Best |
5 wick |
10 Wick |
|
Tests |
183 |
39217 |
18234 |
690 |
26.42 |
7-42 |
32 |
03 |
|
ODI |
194 |
9584 |
7861 |
269 |
29.22 |
5-23 |
02 |
0 |
|
T20I |
19 |
422 |
552 |
18 |
30.66 |
3-23 |
0 |
0 |
|
FC |
292 |
58215 |
27153 |
1104 |
24.59 |
7-19 |
54 |
06 |
|
LIST A |
261 |
12730 |
10230 |
358 |
28.57 |
5-23 |
2 |
0 |
|
T20 |
44 |
933 |
1318 |
41 |
32.14 |
4-24 |
0 |
0 |
Some Important Facts
·
James Anderson is the 2nd Highest in terms of most Test matches played
after Sachin Tendulkar (200)
·
Among the pacers he has played highest numbers of Tests -183
·
He is the third highest wicket taker in Test
Cricket after Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708)
·
He is the highest wicket taker among the pacers
with 690 wickets in 183 matches
·
James Anderson and Stuart Broad have most number
of wickets as Test pairs in history of the game.
·
Along with Anderson, Broad formed a famous new
ball pair and the duo have played for 15.5 years, which is probably the longest
among all bowlers.
·
He has the highest number of wickets in England
with 431 wickets.
·
He is fourth highest in terms of balls bowled in
Test Cricket but highest among pacers with 39217 balls.
·
He is the highest wicket taker for England in
ODI’s with 269 wickets.
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