Congratulations to Jimmy Anderson for reaching 500 Test wickets

[MenInG]

James Anderson has become the first England bowler to take 500 Test wickets.

The Lancashire player, 35, reached the milestone when he bowled Kraigg Brathwaite on day two of the final Test against West Indies at Lord's.

Anderson is only the sixth bowler - and third seamer - to reach 500, and the five ahead of him have retired.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/41076633

 

[shaz619]

So happy for him, he is one of my heroes; what a legend, take a bow champ ! the GREATEST ENGLAND BOWLER IN HISTORY !

 

[Robert]

I saw Botham go last Lillee, now I have seen Anderson take 500. A triumph of skills gained, fitness and longevity for the Lanc lad.

 

[Hasan123]

Congrats to Anderson.

 

[Proactive_]

One of the all time greats..

 

[shaz619]

INCREDIBLE, OUTSTANDING ! What an extraordinary cricketer Jimmy Anderson is A legend and an all time great, the most invincible Bowler to come out of England in HISTORY ! A first ballot hall of famer and the ultimate GOAT !!!!! 500 ! 600 is up next ! There is no doubt with regards to his astonishing excellence !

 

[shaz619]

Such an emotional moment, you live to see moments like this as a cricket fan! I have TEARS OF JOY ! THANK YOU SIR JIMMY ANDERSON ! Incredible, he's THE GREATEST IN HISTORY!

 

[pakistani pride]

Great bowler.

500 TEST wickets. AMAZING.

 

[Saffer_XIII]

Have to commend his fitness and skill. He is an artist with that duke in his hands. And what a way to get the 500th.

 

[Robert]

Regarding the "Clouderson" ignorance: since learning to reverse it in 2011, Anderson averages a very creditable 29 overseas, including 20 in cloudless UAE.

His average has fallen to 27 overall, which is remarkable given the rotten start he had, being over-coached and his action interfered with.

 

[Rana]

Amazing no doubt

 

[Hitman]

Amazing achievement. It's amazing how he transformed himself into such a deadly bowler. He was very ordinary during the first patch of his career (although he did make Sachin his bunny, I'll admit that ). But he really transformed himself into a world class bowler after that.

 

[Ruri]

Read a rather amusing article about how vastly better he's gotten as time has progressed. His away average overall is still mediocre to okay, but for the second half of his career has been good while being brilliant at home. Excellent achievement. Steyn will still be the better bowler of the era by far, but Anderson has to be considered among the greats of the game for simply putting up his work and making an impact on the era.

I dunno where Random Aussie is, but he once said he'd recognize Anderson as a great bowler if he dragged his average below 28 and took 400 wickets. Well, he's done that and more.

 

[idrizzy]

Incredible achievement.

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here it is! 500th Test wicket for <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmy9">@Jimmy9</a>!!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Jimmy500?src=hash">#Jimmy500</a><br><br>Follow LIVE: <a href="https://t.co/Cyyqfe6dy6">https://t.co/Cyyqfe6dy6</a> <a href="https://t.co/EdVRxsMPYq">pic.twitter.com/EdVRxsMPYq</a></p>— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/906191005606526976">September 8, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Congrats to Dukerson.

 

[Saj]

Fantastic bowler.

Makes the ball talk at times. So much skill and control.

Needs to cheer up though

 

[shaz619]

Congrats to Dukerson.

At least he was disciplined enough to not abuse the bothli and chuck his way to records

 

[James]

Magnificent and fully deserved.

I wonder if 600 can be achieved?

He looks as good as he ever has.

 

[shaz619]

Magnificent and fully deserved.

I wonder if 600 can be achieved?

He looks as good as he ever has.

There is no doubt about it, it's an alien like achievement in itself to get to the 500 figure so that deserves immense appreciation; the 600 will be a challenge but Jimmy is a special bloke, when he gets to 600 I will start a 700 wickets countdown thread because he's that damn good

 

[Saj]

Anderson has said that he is targeting McGrath's record of most wickets by a pacebowler in Tests.

 

[James]

Can't believe he is 35 years old. Has remarkable fitness and looks like a bloke in his late twenties out there.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Can't wait to see England's greatest bowler tear up Australia.

 

[AlizeeFan]

Since Jan 2010

Matches: 85
Wickets: 353
Avg: 24.57
5: 16
10: 3

That's ATG stuff in this era.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

ATGs don't average late 30s in four major cricketing countries: Australia, SA, NZ, India. This is a joke.

Dukerson is very lucky he can always come back to England to pad his stats after toothless performances overseas.

 

[MenInG]

Have to say the most drab of personalities but boy, does he make the ball talk or what!?

 

[Abdullah719]

Averages under 30 only in three countries - England, West Indies and UAE.

An England great, not an all-time great.

 

[AlizeeFan]

ATGs don't average late 30s in four major cricketing countries: Australia, SA, NZ, India. This is a joke.

Dukerson is very lucky he can always come back to England to pad his stats after toothless performances overseas.

Not saying he is ATG, but those figures are closer to ATG bowlers.

Lillee took 350 wickets at avg close to 24.

During the same time, he took 226 wickets at avg of 21.95 at home and 127 wickets at avg of 29 away from home. Those are good numbers.

 

[shaz619]

To quote Robert:

Regarding the "Clouderson" ignorance: since learning to reverse it in 2011, Anderson averages a very creditable 29 overseas, including 20 in cloudless UAE.

His average has fallen to 27 overall, which is remarkable given the rotten start he had, being over-coached and his action interfered with.

Anyhow this has been an incredible accomplishment to get to 500 wickets is no joke and he is undisputably an all time great whether people like it or not because he has forced himself into the discussion, his longevity should also be admired it's an indication of his patriotism

 

[Joseph Gomes]

To quote Robert:



Anyhow this has been an incredible accomplishment to get to 500 wickets is no joke and he is undisputably an all time great whether people like it or not because he has forced himself into the discussion, his longevity should also be admired it's an indication of his patriotism

Anderson is NOT an ATG. Just look at his stats away all in Aus, Ind, RSA or NZ.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Great achievement. Congrats Anderson!

He is the fast bowling version of Anil Kumble.

 

[PakLFC]

Awesome bowler. He can swing it for sure and deserves this success.

 

[Balthazar]

His record in India is not too bad for a fast bowlee. But his fitness has to be commended. An ATG for sure.

 

[amax]

Amazing Bowler , Massive Achievement

 

[Junaids]

ATGs don't average late 30s in four major cricketing countries: Australia, SA, NZ, India. This is a joke.

Dukerson is very lucky he can always come back to England to pad his stats after toothless performances overseas.

I am a Lancastrian and I agree.

I don't even recognise this so-called landmark.

Jimmy Anderson has played a vast number of Tests and so he has a vast number of wickets.

He has similar skills to Fred Trueman, but probably bowls at around 8-12K slower than Fred did. And I don't say that as someone deifying my own generation - Fred retired before I was born AND was the enemy - Yorkshire!

People really need to take a step backwards and recognise how bloated and artificial the Test records of BOTH Jimmy Anderson AND Dale Steyn are.

Anderson has bowled more than half his overs with a Dukes Ball, and three quarters of those Dukes overs were bowled under cloudy skies. But take him to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and he is clueless with the Kookaburra ball, even on fairly favourable tracks. What's the difference compared with home? More difficult ball, and much less cloud.

Dale Steyn is not much better. He has taken over half his wickets on green, bouncy tracks in South Africa, and his record in England, Australia and New Zealand is mediocre too.

Yes, Jimmy did well in the UAE and Steyn did well in India.

But the fact that both are deeply mediocre in one another's countries, and in Australia, and in New Zealand, shows just how much worse than the best ATG's both of them are.

 

[James]

Not an ATG for me. An England great.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

I am a Lancastrian and I agree.

I don't even recognise this so-called landmark.

Jimmy Anderson has played a vast number of Tests and so he has a vast number of wickets.

He has similar skills to Fred Trueman, but probably bowls at around 8-12K slower than Fred did. And I don't say that as someone deifying my own generation - Fred retired before I was born AND was the enemy - Yorkshire!

People really need to take a step backwards and recognise how bloated and artificial the Test records of BOTH Jimmy Anderson AND Dale Steyn are.

Anderson has bowled more than half his overs with a Dukes Ball, and three quarters of those Dukes overs were bowled under cloudy skies. But take him to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and he is clueless with the Kookaburra ball, even on fairly favourable tracks. What's the difference compared with home? More difficult ball, and much less cloud.

Dale Steyn is not much better. He has taken over half his wickets on green, bouncy tracks in South Africa, and his record in England, Australia and New Zealand is mediocre too.

Yes, Jimmy did well in the UAE and Steyn did well in India.

But the fact that both are deeply mediocre in one another's countries, and in Australia, and in New Zealand, shows just how much worse than the best ATG's both of them are.

I would disagree slightly on Steyn. While I agree he's overrated, unlike Anderson, he does have a respectable record in NZ and Australia which include standout spells. My reasoning for rating Steyn below the greats prior to him is because of the watered down opposition he's bullied. Four of the best batsmen of the past decade were in his team; Kallis, Smith, AB, Amla. And when challenged by the best whether it be Warner or KP, he's succumbed despite home track advantage and playing in the best team of his era(the past 10 years).

Steyn is an ATG and a superior bowler, capable of adapting. Anderson is at best an English great who's failed to adapt to conditions and an inferior ball.

 

[AlizeeFan]

I am a Lancastrian and I agree.

I don't even recognise this so-called landmark.

Jimmy Anderson has played a vast number of Tests and so he has a vast number of wickets.

He has similar skills to Fred Trueman, but probably bowls at around 8-12K slower than Fred did. And I don't say that as someone deifying my own generation - Fred retired before I was born AND was the enemy - Yorkshire!

People really need to take a step backwards and recognise how bloated and artificial the Test records of BOTH Jimmy Anderson AND Dale Steyn are.

Anderson has bowled more than half his overs with a Dukes Ball, and three quarters of those Dukes overs were bowled under cloudy skies. But take him to Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and he is clueless with the Kookaburra ball, even on fairly favourable tracks. What's the difference compared with home? More difficult ball, and much less cloud.

Dale Steyn is not much better. He has taken over half his wickets on green, bouncy tracks in South Africa, and his record in England, Australia and New Zealand is mediocre too.

Yes, Jimmy did well in the UAE and Steyn did well in India.

But the fact that both are deeply mediocre in one another's countries, and in Australia, and in New Zealand, shows just how much worse than the best ATG's both of them are.

You do realise that Steyn's away average is better than Anderson's home average?

If Steyn is mediocre outside SA, then you can also claim that Anderson is mediocre even in England under clouds.

 

[Junaids]

I would disagree slightly on Steyn. While I agree he's overrated, unlike Anderson, he does have a respectable record in NZ and Australia which include standout spells. My reasoning for rating Steyn below the greats prior to him is because of the watered down opposition he's bullied. Four of the best batsmen of the past decade were in his team; Kallis, Smith, AB, Amla. And when challenged by the best whether it be Warner or KP, he's succumbed despite home track advantage and playing in the best team of his era(the past 10 years).

Steyn is an ATG and a superior bowler, capable of adapting. Anderson is at best an English great who's failed to adapt to conditions and an inferior ball.

I totally agree.

I think Steyn is roughly the tenth best fast bowler of all time. (And you know who I think was the tenth best batsman of all time, a certain little Indian.....)

Anderson for me would be the Sixth or seventh best English quick, and roughly the thirtieth best quick bowler of all time.

I've only watched cricket since the mid-70's. And all of the following quicks were better than Jimmy:

70's
Lillee
Procter
Roberts
Garner
Holding
Van Der Bijl

80's
Marshall
Imran
Hadlee
Ambrose
Bishop

90's
Wasim Akram
Waqar Younis
Donald
McGrath
Pollock

2000's
Steyn

 

[AlizeeFan]

I totally agree.

I think Steyn is roughly the tenth best fast bowler of all time. (And you know who I think was the tenth best batsman of all time, a certain little Indian.....)

Anderson for me would be the Sixth or seventh best English quick, and roughly the thirtieth best quick bowler of all time.

I've only watched cricket since the mid-70's. And all of the following quicks were better than Jimmy:

70's
Lillee
Procter
Roberts
Garner
Holding
Van Der Bijl

80's
Marshall
Imran
Hadlee
Ambrose
Bishop

90's
Wasim Akram
Waqar Younis
Donald
McGrath
Pollock

2000's
Steyn

Who are those 9 better bowlers than Steyn?

Slightly off topic question, since you watched those bowlers - when we talk about WI pacers, you talk about fear and intimidation, what do you think about their skills - swing, seam and all those?

 

[JibranAnsari]

Hats off to the champion.

 

[Junaids]

Who are those 9 better bowlers than Steyn?

Slightly off topic question, since you watched those bowlers - when we talk about WI pacers, you talk about fear and intimidation, what do you think about their skills - swing, seam and all those?

1 Marshall
2 Trueman
3 Lillee
4 Hadlee
5 McGrath
6 Imran Khan
7 Ambrose
8 Bishop
9 Wasim Akram
10 Steyn

.......and that's only because I can't pick Van Der Bijl.

 

[AlizeeFan]

1 Marshall
2 Trueman
3 Lillee
4 Hadlee
5 McGrath
6 Imran Khan
7 Ambrose
8 Bishop
9 Wasim Akram
10 Steyn

.......and that's only because I can't pick Van Der Bijl.

Fair list, though not sure how Lillee, Bishop and Trueman are ahead of him. Rest can be placed in any order without much questions.

 

[sachin100]

As others mentioned he is better version of kumble and ashwin.

Highly overrated. His record against ind, ss, aus, nz is bog average.

His only outstanding record is against Pakistan against whom he averages in sub 20 s

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

After kind of start he had, he has turned the table around and keeps on showing whole world his class.

What a bowler.

A match-winner.

 

[Robert]

Among England bowlers I have seen, I would put Willis, Botham, Fraser, Caddick and Gough at least equal to and perhaps ahead of Jimmy. They all did better overseas, but played in the treadmill era of County cricket so broke down a lot. If in the central contracts era these guys would all have got 500 wickets and done better overseas.

 

[Tabishbeigh]

A brilliant exponent of swing bowling , a brilliant fielder anywhere in the field . Saldy an average of 35 in away tests doesn't do justice to his tally. Home track bulky ? Well that is debatable but boy it takes some serious skills to fetch you 500 test wickets. A good bowler not a great yet.

 

[MenInG]

England's James Anderson has become the sixth bowler in Test history to take 500 wickets. Here are the other key numbers and facts from the Lancastrian's stellar international career.

NUMBERS

6 - bowlers with 500 Test wickets after Anderson joined Courtney Walsh, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath and Anil Kumble.

129 - Tests taken for Anderson to reach 500 wickets - the same as West Indies great Walsh. Muralitharan was quickest to the mark in 87 Tests, with the other three ranging from 105 to 110.

Anderson's Milestone Wickets

1. Mark Vermeulen, Zimbabwe
50. MS Dhoni, India
100. Jacques Kallis, South Africa
150. Graeme Smith, South Africa
200. Peter Siddle, Australia 250. Lahiru Thirimanne, Sri Lanka
300. Peter Fulton, New Zealand
350. Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka
384. Denesh Ramdin, West Indies
400. Martin Guptill, New Zealand
450. Rangana Herath, Sri Lanka
500. Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies

27.64 - his Test bowling average. Only Kumble of the 500 club has a higher average, 29.65.

23 - times Anderson has taken five wickets in a Test innings. On three occasions he has gone on to make it a 10-wicket match.

7-43 - his best figures, against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June 2008.

18.95 - Anderson's average at perhaps his favourite Test ground, Trent Bridge. He has taken more wickets at Lord's, 84, but his 60 in Nottingham have come in just nine Tests as opposed to 21 at HQ.

35 - at 35 years and 40 days old, Anderson is the third-youngest man to reach 500 wickets.

2003 - the year Anderson made his Test debut, against Zimbabwe at Lord's.

68 - number of Anderson's Test wickets which came via catches from former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, the most by any fielder. Current keeper Jonny Bairstow has contributed 32 catches and Alastair Cook 36.

11 - Anderson has dismissed Australia bowler Peter Siddle more times than any other opposing batsman.

FACTS

- Lancashire renamed Old Trafford's Pavilion End after him before England's Test against South Africa in August, leading to the PA announcer's unusual call of "bowling from the James Anderson End, James Anderson".

- His stand of 198 with Joe Root against India at Trent Bridge in 2014 is the highest-ever 10th-wicket partnership in Test history. Anderson's 81 that day remains his career best.

- Secured a place on the famous Lord's honours board on Test debut, taking five for 73 against Zimbabwe.

- Has gone on to take five wickets in an innings on 23 occasions, behind only Sir Ian Botham and Sydney Barnes among Englishman.

- Became the first cricketer to pose for the cover of the Gay Times in 2010.

- Went 57 innings before registering his first duck, an England record.

- Honoured as one of Wisden's five 'Cricketers of the year' in 2009.

- Aside from England, he has taken most wickets in Australia - with 43 in 13 matches Down Under.

- His most prolific series was India's tour of England in 2014, taking 25 wickets at 20.60.

- Has never played away Tests in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.

- Was England's 12th man for the deciding Test of the famous 2005 Ashes series.

http://www.skysports.com/cricket/ne...0th-test-wicket-his-england-career-in-numbers

 

[squarecut]

One can only be as good as nature allows him to be. To pick other names and cite then as being better does not devalue the achievement of Anderson. The fact that he was good enough to play for so long and take wickets for this long is what has enabled him to come this far. A record like this can only be made if one is consistent over a long period of time. Occasional flashes of brilliance followed by long period of mediocrity cannot produce such results. So kudos to James Anderson for this great achievement !

"Better" is not just one single quality. It is a combination of several qualities- viz. talent, ability, physical fitness, mental toughness, tenacity, longevity etc. It is the sum total of all these qualities/attributes that determines who is "better". Records speak for themselves. Anderson is "better" than most bowlers when it comes to taking 500 test wickets.

If taking 500 test wickets was all that easy then there would been many people with this feat. Anderson clearly has got something special that not too many people possess.

 

[amax]

Not an ATG for me. An England great.

but 500 is a massive massive figure when it comes to fast bowling also there is not much competition when it comes to pace bowling above 300 wickets so he might make the cut of ATG by little margin or so.

 

[squarecut]

Maintaining one's physical fitness for this long is no joke for a pacer. There are lots of pacers who promised a lot but fell by the way side because they could not maintain their fitness. One classical example is Ian Bishop.

 

[Junaids]

Fair list, though not sure how Lillee, Bishop and Trueman are ahead of him. Rest can be placed in any order without much questions.

Trueman and Lillee both retired as the fast bowler with the most wickets in Test history.

Ian Bishop from 1989 to 1992 was arguably the most dangerous and incisive fast bowler that there has ever been. Very very fast, sharp lift from a full length, and very late outswing.

 

[ToeCrusher2]

Away average of 35.36 LOL, he's not even close to a being a great bowler, forget about ATG, those who cry about ashwin all the time should look at anderson's record. His weaknesses aren't in play "in these conditions", so no wonder he doesn't want to step outside england

 

[Proactive_]

Away average of 35.36 LOL, he's not even close to a being a great bowler, forget about ATG, those who cry about ashwin all the time should look at anderson's record. His weaknesses aren't in play "in these conditions", so no wonder he doesn't want to step outside england

It's 33 when you add UAE. Also, he's been a standout performer in England's Test series wins in Aus in 2010-11 and India 2012 as well.

James Anderson was the difference between India and England, says skipper MS Dhoni

https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-en...dia-and-england-says-skipper-ms-dhoni-1543653

Come back when an English, SA, NZ or Aus can say the same about Ashwin on an away tour lol. Comparing a legend like Anderson with an overseas failure like Ashwin. Sheesh.

 

[Protea Fan]

Maintaining one's physical fitness for this long is no joke for a pacer. There are lots of pacers who promised a lot but fell by the way side because they could not maintain their fitness. One classical example is Ian Bishop.

True longevity do maters and the best thing is he still looks in great shape and clocking fairly well

These are not small feat for fast bowlers

 

[sachin100]

It's 33 when you add UAE. Also, he's been a standout performer in England's Test series wins in Aus in 2010-11 and India 2012 as well.

James Anderson was the difference between India and England, says skipper MS Dhoni

https://sports.ndtv.com/india-vs-en...dia-and-england-says-skipper-ms-dhoni-1543653

Come back when an English, SA, NZ or Aus can say the same about Ashwin on an away tour lol. Comparing a legend like Anderson with an overseas failure like Ashwin. Sheesh.

Even now his record against sa, ind, aus is nothing to be proud off

 

[ExpressPacer]

Whatever one has to say is their opinion and I certainly respect that but I've never seen any bowler use the cherry as effectively as Jimmy does. Whether or not he gets positive results is chance but watching him stride in and bowl in poetry in motion.

 

[Zaz]

He is a quality performer More so at home than away His record since 2010 is superb

Yes he has been managed brilliantly by england, yes its helped his career that eng have played a lot of tests during his peak but credit needs to be given for his quality and fitness

Its a shame that it took him several years to work out his skills which brings his overall avge and strike rate high to be classed as an ATG bowler

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

True longevity do maters and the best thing is he still looks in great shape and clocking fairly well

These are not small feat for fast bowlers

Especially when you are a fast bowler. Plus, it is irrelevant to debate fast bowling with Indians

 

[Proactive_]

Even now his record against sa, ind, aus is nothing to be proud off

It's more than fine in this era where fast bowling has almost gone obsolete. 500 wickets for a fast bowler with a respectable away average of 33 in this era is mind boggling. He's easily the second best fast bowler of this generation behind Steyn. I've no qualms about admitting that Dale Steyn is much better than him, hell I rate Dale Steyn as the best bowler of all time, there is no shame in being behind him.

 

[Ab Fan]

England Ashwin although of no use with the bat.

 

[Junaids]

It's more than fine in this era where fast bowling has almost gone obsolete. 500 wickets for a fast bowler with a respectable away average of 33 in this era is mind boggling. He's easily the second best fast bowler of this generation behind Steyn. I've no qualms about admitting that Dale Steyn is much better than him, hell I rate Dale Steyn as the best bowler of all time, there is no shame in being behind him.

There's nothing "respectable" about a fast bowler averaging 33 away in this era.

Test batting is the worst it has been for at least 65 years. T20 and huge bats have damaged Test techniques terribly.

Yes, Steyn is a lot better than Anderson. But Steyn's own mediocre record in Australia, England and New Zealand pushes him down into the second rate group of ATGs.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Gun bowler.

Love watching him in full flow except when he is bowling to Indian batsmen.

 

[R0H1T]

Gun bowler.

Love watching him in full flow except when he is bowling to Indian batsmen.

And there's no cloud cover

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

And there's no cloud cover

He isn't a complete bowler like Steyn gun who is the undisputed greatest bowler of this generation.

Still he has found a way to overcome his weakness and played important role in Ashes 2010 and India tour 2012 wins...two of the biggest tours for an Englishman.

Not an ATG but a true great with an ability to trouble the best in the business.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

Great achievement.
I like swing bowling and enjoy watching him bowl especially in full flow. But i personally think Broad is slightly better.

 

[R0H1T]

He isn't a complete bowler like Steyn gun who is the undisputed greatest bowler of this generation.

Still he has found a way to overcome his weakness and played important role in Ashes 2010 and India tour 2012 wins...two of the biggest tours for an Englishman.

Not an ATG but a true great with an ability to trouble the best in the business.

Most of us agree with that, I was just saying that I'd rather watch him minus clouds when India is batting, with overhead conditions in his favor he's like an Ashwin on a square turner.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The records keep coming for <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmy9">@jimmy9</a>! Career best figures in Tests for England's leading wicket-taker! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvWI?src=hash">#ENGvWI</a> <a href="https://t.co/S1FHAOgjzv">pic.twitter.com/S1FHAOgjzv</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/906512808438886402">September 9, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ruri]

1 Marshall
2 Trueman
3 Lillee
4 Hadlee
5 McGrath
6 Imran Khan
7 Ambrose
8 Bishop
9 Wasim Akram
10 Steyn

.......and that's only because I can't pick Van Der Bijl.

No way, it's easily Marshall/McGrath/Steyn/Hadlee at the top. You can't include the rest. Steyn's average and strike rate are so ridiculous, and he plays in this flat track era. So vastly better than the rest on your list.

 

[The_Odd_One]

1 Marshall
2 Trueman
3 Lillee
4 Hadlee
5 McGrath
6 Imran Khan
7 Ambrose
8 Bishop
9 Wasim Akram
10 Steyn

.......and that's only because I can't pick Van Der Bijl.

How come there is no Davidson on that list when you rate him higher than Akram?

 

[Proactive_]

There's nothing "respectable" about a fast bowler averaging 33 away in this era.

Test batting is the worst it has been for at least 65 years. T20 and huge bats have damaged Test techniques terribly.

Yes, Steyn is a lot better than Anderson. But Steyn's own mediocre record in Australia, England and New Zealand pushes him down into the second rate group of ATGs.

It's more than respectable in view of what most of his contemporaries are achieving. T-20 teams and test teams hardly overlap so the discussion is pointless, even if they do, they effect both batting and bowling, not just batting.

Plus, it's an unequivocal fact that the conditions in the past decade have unquestionably favoured batting more than bowling, much more so than the eras gone by, some of the recent Australian summers are a testament to that. In that regard, averaging 27 with 500 wickets, averaging 30 in Asia and being a prime contributor to England's 1st series win in India in 28 years and 1st series win in Australia in 24 years hold him in very good stead. Anderson is an undisputed great of the game. ATG or not is on your preferences but I'd personally give him the nod.

 

[sachin100]

Especially when you are a fast bowler. Plus, it is irrelevant to debate fast bowling with Indians

Yeah then why pak fans are debating regarding batting?

 

[sachin100]

It's more than respectable in view of what most of his contemporaries are achieving. T-20 teams and test teams hardly overlap so the discussion is pointless, even if they do, they effect both batting and bowling, not just batting.

Plus, it's an unequivocal fact that the conditions in the past decade have unquestionably favoured batting more than bowling, much more so than the eras gone by, some of the recent Australian summers are a testament to that. In that regard, averaging 27 with 500 wickets, averaging 30 in Asia and being a prime contributor to England's 1st series win in India in 28 years and 1st series win in Australia in 24 years hold him in very good stead. Anderson is an undisputed great of the game. ATG or not is on your preferences but I'd personally give him the nod.

Averaging 35 away in the era where test batsman ship is at an all time low with teams collapsing at the first sign os swing, seam, spin is some achievement

 

[HitWicket]

Averaging 35 away in the era where test batsman ship is at an all time low with teams collapsing at the first sign os swing, seam, spin is some achievement

Actually averages 33 away over his career. His stats since the start of 2011 though (which show the improvements he's made since his earlier days) :

Overall average : 24.53
Away average : 28.58

 

[sachin100]

Actually averages 33 away over his career. His stats since the start of 2011 though (which show the improvements he's made since his earlier days) :

Overall average : 24.53
Away average : 28.58

U r taking his peak. If u consider like that sachin used to average 60 in test cricket

 

[HitWicket]

U r taking his peak. If u consider like that sachin used to average 60 in test cricket

You'd have to go back to since early 2009 for his away average to rise above 30 since then, that's hardly just taking his peak...

 

[sachin100]

You'd have to go back to since early 2009 for his away average to rise above 30 since then, that's hardly just taking his peak...

He has one good series in aus, india and in other series he is a non entity. Thats not atg material. Where is the consistency?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

He has been 'ATG' esque if you take the last 7 years alone. Still not great away but decent enough. Second best fast bowler in an era of flat tracks and big bats. And yet some insist that some past bowlers are greater

 

[James]

Yet another match-winning performance today. Sterling bowler.

 

[squarecut]

Bowlers who have taken half or even less than one quarter of the wickets as compared to Anderson cannot be considered "greater" than Anderson just looking at the bowling average. It is like comparing the average running speed of a middle distance runner with average running speed of a marathon runner and concluding that Marathon runner is slower and therefore lesser performer than a marathon runner. That middle distance runner running at the same speed will burn out much before he can reach the finish line of a marathon race.

So, Anderson taking 500 wickets at an average of around 28 is far far better bowler than someone who may have taken 80 wickets at an average of 22 and then bowed out because that bowler did not have the necessary qualities to last long enough to take 500 test wickets.