James Anderson Names the Best Batter He Faced as He Prepares for His Final Test Match
England's Legendary Bowler Reflects on an Illustrious Career Ahead of His Farewell Game
As the cricketing world gears up to bid adieu to one of its finest fast bowlers, James Anderson is set to play his final Test match for England against the West Indies at Lord’s on Wednesday, July 10. With a career spanning over two decades, Anderson’s departure marks the end of an era in English cricket, leaving behind a legacy that’s tough to surpass.
Anderson made his international debut in 2002 and has witnessed the evolution of the sport from Test cricket’s dominance to the rise of T20 leagues. His commitment to prioritizing Test cricket over white-ball formats has been instrumental in his career and the success of the English team.
In a recent Q&A session with Sky Sports Cricket, Anderson shared insights about the best players he has faced. Surprisingly, when asked about the best batter he has bowled to, he bypassed contemporary greats like Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, naming former Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar. Anderson, who featured in 39 Tests against India and claimed 149 wickets, dismissed Tendulkar on nine occasions.
“The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar,” Anderson remarked.The veteran pacer also shared his thoughts on the best bowlers he has faced, highlighting Australian legend Glenn McGrath and South African speedster Dale Steyn.
“The best bowler I faced was probably Glenn McGrath or Dale Steyn. Hard to pick between the two. Slightly different bowlers, but both world-class,” he added.
Career Achievement Anderson is Most Proud Of: Scoring 81 at Trent Bridge
Anderson’s career is filled with memorable moments, but he singled out his dismissal of Michael Clarke in the 2013 Trent Bridge Test as his best wicket. Interestingly, when asked about his proudest career achievement, Anderson chose a batting performance.
“Career achievement I am most proud of is getting 81 at Trent Bridge against India. I know, I probably should pick a wicket or bowling performance, but getting 81 with the bat, I think, is just something I still can’t believe I have done,” Anderson shared.
As he prepares for his 188th Test, Anderson has 700 Test wickets to his name. He needs just 13 more to become the first fast bowler and third cricketer overall to reach 1,000 international wickets. Even nine wickets in his farewell Test would see him surpass Shane Warne’s tally of 708, securing his place as the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history.
