James Anderson, one of the greatest fast bowlers England has ever had, is set to retire from Test cricket after an extraordinary 21-year career with his last match being this week’s series opener against the West Indies at Lord’s.
These are AFP’s five notable highlights from the glorious career of this winger:
1. The world got to know James Anderson when he took his first wicket in May 2003, aged just 20 years against Zimbabwe at Lord’s Stadium. Vermeulen was cleaned up by that one on top of off stump – and it was clear that young Englishman had arrived!
2. One of the most memorable moments for Anderson was during the Ashes Series in Australia in 2010/11 season: After drawing first Test in Brisbane, England won the second test in Adelaide where Ponting and Clarke were dismissed by James Anderson both caught behind by Graeme Swan at second slip. England easily won this particular game by an innings. At the end of that series, which ended with a scoreline of 24 wickets over five tests assigned to him, it ensured a winning margin of 3-1 and thus reclaiming ashes for their home team.
3. In 2012, Anderson also completed a memorable feat against one of all-time great Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar at Kolkata in a Test match. The foundation for this game was laid down here. He enticed Tendulkar into playing a loose shot towards cow corner where Matt Prior gathered an excellent low catch.
4. At Trent Bridge in July 2013, James Anderson outsmarted former Australian captain Clark as he took all his ten wickets; as such he gave England convincing win to retain Ashes.
5. Alastair Cook ended his international cricket career scoring century but more importantly left the game with dignity; meanwhile; his long time partner Anderson became officially the highest ever wicket-taking fast bowler in test cricket, going past Glenn McGrath of Australia. Anderson achieved the milestone by dismissing Mohammed Shami thus helping England win the series 4-1. When Shami got out, James Anderson had taken 564 Test wickets, making him one of the best fast bowlers of all time.
