[VIDEOS] Is Jimmy Anderson an all-time great?

[MenInG]

Number THREE on the list - just Murali and Warney to go!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">YESSS <a href="https://twitter.com/jimmy9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jimmy9</a> moves past Anil Kumble to become the third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history!! &#55357;&#56336;<br><br>Scorecard/Videos: <a href="https://t.co/5eQO5BWXUp">https://t.co/5eQO5BWXUp</a><br><br>&#55356;&#57332;&#56128;&#56423;&#56128;&#56418;&#56128;&#56421;&#56128;&#56430;&#56128;&#56423;&#56128;&#56447; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ENGvIND?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ENGvIND</a> &#55356;&#56814;&#55356;&#56819; <a href="https://t.co/3JUktTb3D1">pic.twitter.com/3JUktTb3D1</a></p>— England Cricket (@englandcricket) <a href="https://twitter.com/englandcricket/status/1423638112459128837?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 6, 2021</a></blockquote>
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[Firebat]

Fantastic achievement. 3rd highest wicket taker ever surely cements him as an ATG.

 

[SaadAliG]

An all time great should be in a league of his own, Anderson isn't. He's just a freak with age defying body for a fast bowler.

At your peak you should be world class as a bowler to be considered an ATG. Anderson never has been world class.

 

[Buffet]

An all time great should be in a league of his own, Anderson isn't. He's just a freak with age defying body for a fast bowler.

At your peak you should be world class as a bowler to be considered an ATG. Anderson never has been world class.

He may not be ATG based on how tight criterion you use, but he is certainly a world-class bowler. World-class is simply being one of the best in the world.

Yes, he is not really going to be in contention for a spot in the all-time world XI by any stretch of the imagination, but certainly a world-class player.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

The last point you made is really convincing, I saw his stats since 2015, I ran a query

https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/e...;spanval1=span;template=results;type=allround

Now in the last 6 years he has averaged 27 away from home (against non minnows)
and has taken 70 wickets in those nations which I think is good enough to end all the debates about how guys like Philander or Bob willis or Caddick or all other 200 wkts taking bowlers are better than him, coz this 6 years duration of Anderson is good enough to surpass their career.

Still even if you take any part of his career he doesn't have ATG away stats, that's why I think Kumble is on par.
The Impact of Kumble will always be lesser coz he didn't have great support cast to pair up with. Anderson does.

Also don't agree with Kohli being his bunny, he averages 40 against Anderson and has dominated him except one series.
Anderson actually didn't even trouble him in Indian conditions

Yeah....

I have a simple rule for ATG.

Could be right or wrong...

If many people call you an ATG....then you are one.

Many call Anderson an ATG. So he is one.

Hes one of those guys who didnt look like he would be an ATG but became one. Like Sanga.

As for Kumble, you are right.

Spinners dont have the same weapons as pacers ..they are dependent on the pacers for their performance.

So that makes judging Kumble hard.

On top of that, there is no consensus on what determines a spinner to be an ATG.

So I won't argue if someone calls Kumble ATG.

Personally watching Kumble, I felt he was a tad too unidimensional away from home and not that big of a threat.

Perception plays a big role and i think Kumble fell a bit short on that regard.

Thats just my opinion.

What he did in Aus 2003 was beyond legendary tho.

As for Kohli vs Anderson....there's a statistical take and a perception take.

Statistically you are right.

Perception wise....kohli might have lost to anderson in 2014.....but the way Anderson destroyed him....no bowler has ever done that to an elite level bat.

So the perception sticks on.

How well Kohli.plays Anderson in this away series will probably determine how that perception gets shaped.

Same with Tendu.

Anderson only got to destroy a washed up Tendu post 2011 (prior to that he had his wins but wasnt owning Tendu).

But perception is different due to the impact it created.

Right or wrong thats how its viewed.

Doesnt take anything away from top level batsman.

Just like Lara or Tendu destroying Murali & Warne didnt destroy their legacies.

It happens.

Thats what makes the battles so memorable.

 

[Saj]

James Anderson surpassed Anil Kumble (619) to become the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket on Day 3 of the first England v India Test in Nottingham.

At 39, the England paceman added another feather to his cap when he dismissed KL Rahul with an outside-off delivery, who was caught behind by Jos Buttler for 84, in the second session.

With 620 wickets, the England paceman is only behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warner (708) on the list of highest wicket-takers in the longest format of the game.

He had already become the most prolific fast bowler in Tests when he went past Glenn McGrath (563) the last time India toured England in 2018 and had got Mohammad Shami's wicket in the final Test of the tour. In August last year he got his 600th wicket, becoming the first pacer to achieve this mark when he dismissed Azhar Ali in Southampton.

Anderson, who turned 39 last week, had expressed the desire to play in his 40s. "I still love turning up every day at training, putting in the hard yards and being in the dressing room with the lads trying to forge a win for England. That's all I've really ever bothered about and what I'll keep trying to do," he had said.

"I am sure I will have to be a little bit wise about which games I play and which I don't. That's something for the selectors, coach, captain and the medical team to help with as well. It's not just me saying I will play this one and not that one. We want to play in the best team but be careful of managing workloads. We will try and discuss what is best for the team."

Anderson started the ICC World Test Championship series against India on 617 wickets. He went wicketless in his first spell but got two wickets in two balls in the second over of his second spell.

He first got the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, getting the batsman to nick an outswinger to Jos Buttler behind the stumps. The very next ball, he removed India captain Virat Kohli for a golden duck, once again caught behind by Buttler, to equal Kumble's tally of 619.

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/2207434?sf148603492=1

 

[Saj]

Test debut in 2003, still going strong and now the 3rd highest wicket taker in the history of Test cricket.

What a bowler !

 

[Mamoon]

At the end of the day, arbitrary, subjective terms like ATG etc. mean absolutely nothing.

Anderson will retire as the leading wicket-taking pacer in history of Test cricket, he will also be knighted and he has an end named after him in his home ground.

That is far and beyond what he would have imagined when he made hai debut in 2003.

He had a dream and he achieved more than he could have dreamed of. How random fans classify his career would mean nothing to him.

Not calling him an ATG won’t erase his 600+ wickets.

 

[shaz619]

At the end of the day, arbitrary, subjective terms like ATG etc. mean absolutely nothing.

Anderson will retire as the leading wicket-taking pacer in history of Test cricket, he will also be knighted and he has an end named after him in his home ground.

That is far and beyond what he would have imagined when he made hai debut in 2003.

He had a dream and he achieved more than he could have dreamed of. How random fans classify his career would mean nothing to him.

Not calling him an ATG won’t erase his 600+ wickets.

50 years from now Anderson will be worshiped like Bradman.

In my view there is no debate about him being an ATG, this thread should be renamed ‘Is Anderson the Greatest of All Time?’

 

[Cricketrenew]

I was going to say, he is an all time great but then saw the number of games played to get the wickets.
So for me he is one of the best ever but to be All time great you need better figures all around the world.

Stuart Broad is on the list is he all time Great too?

Like Brian Lara, Viv Richards they were all time greats... you need that X factor which I believe is missing.. here.... saying that I reckon Wasim and Waqar are all time greats ...... so guess my argument doesnt stand up.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Number of wickets don't mean much, anybody fit enough can play for decades. There are tons of bowlers who make Anderson look ordinary to mediocre if compared. Anderson isn't an ATG and he wouldn't be picked in ATG teams.

He is an English great, world class sure. But not ATG. Those who call Anderson ATG, I would like to what which ATG team Anderson qualifies for and gets picked up ahead of actual ATG bowlers.

No disrespect to Anderson, his longevity is legendary. Credit where its due.

 

[sindhiboy]

He is the greatest 39 year old bowler of all time. Thats for sure

 

[MenInG]

James Anderson surpassed Anil Kumble (619) to become the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket on Day 3 of the first England v India Test in Nottingham.

At 39, the England paceman added another feather to his cap when he dismissed KL Rahul with an outside-off delivery, who was caught behind by Jos Buttler for 84, in the second session.

With 620 wickets, the England paceman is only behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warner (708) on the list of highest wicket-takers in the longest format of the game.

He had already become the most prolific fast bowler in Tests when he went past Glenn McGrath (563) the last time India toured England in 2018 and had got Mohammad Shami's wicket in the final Test of the tour. In August last year he got his 600th wicket, becoming the first pacer to achieve this mark when he dismissed Azhar Ali in Southampton.

Anderson, who turned 39 last week, had expressed the desire to play in his 40s. "I still love turning up every day at training, putting in the hard yards and being in the dressing room with the lads trying to forge a win for England. That's all I've really ever bothered about and what I'll keep trying to do," he had said.

"I am sure I will have to be a little bit wise about which games I play and which I don't. That's something for the selectors, coach, captain and the medical team to help with as well. It's not just me saying I will play this one and not that one. We want to play in the best team but be careful of managing workloads. We will try and discuss what is best for the team."

Anderson started the ICC World Test Championship series against India on 617 wickets. He went wicketless in his first spell but got two wickets in two balls in the second over of his second spell.

He first got the wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara, getting the batsman to nick an outswinger to Jos Buttler behind the stumps. The very next ball, he removed India captain Virat Kohli for a golden duck, once again caught behind by Buttler, to equal Kumble's tally of 619.

 

[Mamoon]

What a legend.

 

[The_KING]

What an amazing bowler.

 

[Local.Dada]

Yes he is.

 

[James]

ANOTHER fivefer. Can’t believe he is 39!

 

[Proactive_]

Anderson might not be the absolute best bowler of his generation (he's not that far away either) but he's making sure he ends up being by far being the most inspirational.

Everyone from a 15 year kid mesmerized by his sheer artistry with the ball to a struggling mid twenties something first class cricketer thinking the end is near - Anderson has become the template to follow. Relentless pursuit of improvement has transformed him over the years from just being a good bowler (arguably great at home) to an undisputed legend of the game - someone whose name you want on the team sheet regardless of where the match is being played (at the age of 39 (!) no less).

Anderson has had one of those careers which should be celebrated not for the figures but for the trajectory the career has had because it truly is something special.

 

[King_Kohli]

Dale Steyn. 431 wickets in 93 matches. Had he played 161 tests he would have taken 1000+ wickets. He performs everywhere

 

[someone21]

Anderson is a ATG, and actually even more. He isn't your "golden boy" or the young shining kid. He grew with hard work, and had sustainability , motivational with age. Not many players fit such description

Then, our society always appreciate the young kid, the young PHD student, the young talent. Yet, for me, the old PHD student, the old talent, has a its own awe and appreciation. Anderson is one of those people in cricket industry.

 

[Mamoon]

Dale Steyn. 431 wickets in 93 matches. Had he played 161 tests he would have taken 1000+ wickets. He performs everywhere

If Steyn could play 161 Tests, he would have.

Steyn was a walking injury after 34-35 and couldn’t play two consecutive Tests without breaking down, even though South Africa had always managed his workload in LOIs.

Longevity cannot be ignored. Anderson deserves immense credit for the fact that he has maintained his fitness and performance at an unthinkable age of 39.

 

[Robert]

He is a great seam/swing bowler with the Duke in helpful conditions. I wouldn’t say he is better than prime Botham in that regard.

He is a decent stock bowler otherwise. He blocks an end up, but is not a big wicket taker, lacking searing pace or a lifting delivery.

He has been able to bowl through into an era where few overseas players can play orthodox swing. But it’s interesting to note that the really good visiting players wait him out now, see him off and then attack the easier bowlers.

 

[ElRaja]

146 wickets at an average of 21... after turning 35. it doesn't make sense. i hope he plays on as long as hes fit, there's no reason he cant play home tests for another 2 or 3 years.

 

[Technics 1210]

It makes complete sense. Jimmy packed in T20i, and ODI, doesn't play for any tamasha leagues (unlike Steyn). Pure focus on the pinnacle format of the game. His decisions are reaping the rewards.

 

[U$ofA]

What is his record in BIPS? How many matches has he won there?

Though there is no question he is great, I would like to see how he performed in BIPS to make the All Time Great argument.

 

[Sunzi]

Of course he is.

Incredible swing-bowler - people keep talking about his longevity being the reason he has managed to get as many wickets as he has as opposed to being a peak ATG.

The fitness is part of his status. What he is doing at 39 is insane.

 

[James]

What is his record in BIPS? How many matches has he won there?

Though there is no question he is great, I would like to see how he performed in BIPS to make the All Time Great argument.

I am not a particularly keen statto, but I believe that his record in both India and the UAE is very strong.

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

Anderson might not be the absolute best bowler of his generation (he's not that far away either) but he's making sure he ends up being by far being the most inspirational.

Everyone from a 15 year kid mesmerized by his sheer artistry with the ball to a struggling mid twenties something first class cricketer thinking the end is near - Anderson has become the template to follow. Relentless pursuit of improvement has transformed him over the years from just being a good bowler (arguably great at home) to an undisputed legend of the game - someone whose name you want on the team sheet regardless of where the match is being played (at the age of 39 (!) no less).

Anderson has had one of those careers which should be celebrated not for the figures but for the trajectory the career has had because it truly is something special.

Spot on mate.

Great post.

This is one thing fans ignore.

There are some who are destined to be ATGs from the moment they debut.

There are some who look like they will take over the world only to bomb.

And then there are those whom no one rates will become an ATG but they end up becoming one through sheer hardwork, dedication and constant improvement.

Sanga was the same.

He was mocked till the last moment before fans had no choice but to accept his greatness. This includes me. Had he played for a top test team, his impact would have been something else.

Anderson is the same.

Mocked as Clouderson for most of his career but he has just achieved wayyyy too much that fans have no choice but to accept his greatness.

Players like Anderson must be celebrated.

They give hope to everyday people in ways that magically talented stars never can.

[MENTION=93712]MenInG[/MENTION] - I recommend Proactiv's for POTW.

 

[Robert]

I am not a particularly keen statto, but I believe that his record in both India and the UAE is very strong.

Averages 30 in India, s/r 66 which is decent for an English swinger.

Averages 21 in UAE which is outstanding.

 

[MenInG]

London: India cricket team skipper Virat Kohli had a heated exchange with one of England’s most successful bowlers, James Anderson, in the first session of play on Day Four of the second Test at Lord’s on Sunday.

In the 17th over of the day, with India having lost both its openers and Kohli batting, the India skipper approached the umpire asking him to take a look at Anderson’s run-up as the pacer was allegedly running into the pitch.

A heated exchange ensued between Kohli and Anderson with the former telling the tall paceman, “This isn’t your fu**ing backyard”.

“You swearing at me again are you? This isn’t your fu**ing backyard,” Kohli was heard saying to Anderson, who also said something which was inaudible.

Following Anderson’s penultimate delivery of the over, Kohli said, “Chirp, chirp, chirp. This is what old age makes you.”

However, England fast bowler Stuart Broad reacted sharply to the incident and reminded everyone about Anderson’s five-wicket hauls at the Lord’s.

“The Lord’s honours board suggests it’s as close to Jimmy’s backyard as Jimmy’s actual backyard. Love the fire but that language will have him in trouble,” Broad tweeted.

India were struggling at 181/6 in their second innings on Day 4 after stumps were called early, with eight overs remaining, as England decided to take the new ball in fading light and the umpires called it a day.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane struck a fighting half-century and added 100 runs for the fourth wicket with Cheteshwar Pujara (45) but India had their backs to the wall in the second Test as they are just 154 runs ahead of England’s first innings total of 391. India had made 364 in their first innings.

https://www.cricketcountry.com/news...ackyard-kohli-heard-saying-to-anderson-995214

 

[zulfiqar]

Anderson is definitely one of England's greatest fast bowlers of all time - he's a prolific wicket taker and playing 164 test matches is actually an insane achievement for a fast bowler! If he's being compared against all of the great fast bowlers of the world over the years - whether or not he makes it as an "ATG" will really just depend on what criteria you set. In modern times he's one of the few fast bowlers that stand out after Dale Steyn (who is as bonafide an ATG as they come).

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Anderson is definitely one of England's greatest fast bowlers of all time - he's a prolific wicket taker and playing 164 test matches is actually an insane achievement for a fast bowler! If he's being compared against all of the great fast bowlers of the world over the years - whether or not he makes it as an "ATG" will really just depend on what criteria you set. In modern times he's one of the few fast bowlers that stand out after Dale Steyn (who is as bonafide an ATG as they come).

Steyn is a fan and take his early career average away and he's definitely an ATG

 

[jnaveen1980]

He is very close. He has owned some of the top batsmen in his career. He is nearing 40. So his odd failure now should not be used to judge him. Playing this long in itself is an achievement for a fast bowler.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

He is very close. He has owned some of the top batsmen in his career. He is nearing 40. So his odd failure now should not be used to judge him. Playing this long in itself is an achievement for a fast bowler.

If you look at his career post 2007/08; his much criticized away stats do not look that bad either btw. And even then he’s played 120+ test matches so the body of work is much more than the body of work of most certified all Time greats

 

[OMB]

Well..he is certainly making a very strong case here today.

 

[Sunzi]

Of course he is.

Incredible swing-bowler - people keep talking about his longevity being the reason he has managed to get as many wickets as he has as opposed to being a peak ATG.

The fitness is part of his status. What he is doing at 39 is insane.

 

[OMB]

Anderson in first session - Day 1 of third test vs India
8 - 5 - 6 - 3

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The debate about being an ATG is settled. He is one for sure.

Now its worth debating whether he is the best pace bowler of all time?

I think you can make a very very strong case for it.

 

[volcyz]

The debate about being an ATG is settled. He is one for sure.

Now its worth debating whether he is the best pace bowler of all time?

I think you can make a very very strong case for it.

Lol just no.

Mcgrath in modern times was so much superior it’s not comparable.

 

[Last Monetarist]

The following bowlers are the only ones in my opinion that I'd select ahead of Anderson in a test side without second thought:

McGrath
Lillee
Ambrose
Marshall
Hadlee
Imran
Steyn
Donald

Anyone else is up for debate.

 

[someone21]

Anderson in his own league, and that is why he is the greatest for me.

For every McGrath, there is Wasim, Waqar, Donald. But there is no equivalence of Anderson. That's the uniqueness that makes Anderson greatest. He had the sustainability to lead in an era where cricket become batsman oriented and the fear factor of bowlers is gone.

 

[sindhiboy]

A fast bowler peaking at the age of 39 after playing over 160 tests is something which will be hard for fans to accept.

 

[street cricketer]

The debate about being an ATG is settled. He is one for sure.

Now its worth debating whether he is the best pace bowler of all time?

I think you can make a very very strong case for it.

He's easily an ATG. But it's hard to make a case for someone being the GOAT while having a career average of 26.5 with the ball despite bowling in favourable conditions at home for a major chunk of his career.

Personally McGrath was the greatest ever I saw. He could do it at home, away from home, in Tests, ODIs, World cup and against the greatest batsmen ever.

 

[Ahmad-GERMANFC]

There’s no debate about whether he is an ATG.

Only debate is his position in that pantheon.

 

[MenInG]

Legendary pacer James Anderson on Thursday created another record, that of most Test matches at home, as England take on India at the Oval, London.

Anderson, 39, is one of the enduring figures in world cricket. This is his 95th Test at home. The record previously belonged to batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who had played 94 matches at home.

Legends, Ricky Ponting (92), Alastair Cook (89), Steve Waugh (89) and Jacques Kallis (88) complete the top five.

Anderson is already the most successful pacer in the history of Test cricket. He now has 630 wickets in the most demanding format of the game. He is currently ranked third in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers, only behind Muttiah M Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).

England captain Joe Root won the toss and opted to bowl first. The five-match series is currently locked 1-1 after three Tests.

https://www.outlookindia.com/websit...derson-breaks-sachin-tendulkars-record/393424

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Still not an ATG. Would never pick Anderson in 5 different ATG teams, there are a couple dozen bowlers better than Anderson easily.

 

[ChinaMan]

Is James Anderson a home track bully ?

From Cricinfo , his home vs away stats

Home vs Away
Span Mat Inns Wkts 5w 10w
home 2003-2021 95 181 402 7/42 11/71 24.20 23 3
away 2003-2021 66 117 210 6/40 8/161 31.91 8 0
neutral 2012-2015 6 12 22 20.54 0 0


At home he has 23 5fers outside he has 8 5fers . At home the avg is 24.20, outside 31.91.

Home track bully ?

 

[Mamoon]

Like nearly every bowler, he is better at home. However, it would be harsh and frankly misleading to label him as a HTB because career-averages often don't tell the full story. He has 200+ wickets away from home in the last 10-11 years at an average of 27 odd, which is very impressive and longer than the careers of most bowlers.

He also played a massive role in the series wins in Australia and India, two of England's greatest overseas triumphs of the 21st century.

Anderson's career is a tale of two stories and two eras - he became a different bowler post 2008, and the Anderson that we have seen over the last 12-13 years is undoubtedly among the greatest bowlers the game has ever seen.

 

[sweep_shot]

I think he is.

He needs overcast conditions to do well.

 

[Buffet]

Sure he is. Anderson is one of the greatest home track bullies to ever play the game.

Posters take it as negative, but I simply see home track bully as someone who can really bully visiting teams at home. There are not many who have done this job better than Anderson.

How a player does outside does not change anything when it comes to the home track bully label.

 

[gazza619]

career-averages often don't tell the full story.

How come you never use that logic on Pakistani players?

On thread, Anderson is an England great who has now past his prime.

 

[Giannis]

Yeah, he's no Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn is leagues ahead of Anderson but people make it seem like Anderson is the GOAT bowler of the 2010s.

 

[Ab Fan]

I won't say a pure home track bully but his away record is nothing extraordinary.
232 wickets at avg of 30.84 is mediocre.

<B>Overall record from 2010 onwards:</B>

Matches - 123
Wickets - 486
Overall Average - 24
Away & Neutral average - 27( 188 wickets)

Now, that's just about ATG level figures.

 

[Ab Fan]

Like nearly every bowler, he is better at home. However, it would be harsh and frankly misleading to label him as a HTB because career-averages often don't tell the full story. He has 200+ wickets away from home in the last 10-11 years at an average of 27 odd, which is very impressive and longer than the careers of most bowlers.

He also played a massive role in the series wins in Australia and India, two of England's greatest overseas triumphs of the 21st century.

Anderson's career is a tale of two stories and two eras - he became a different bowler post 2008, and the Anderson that we have seen over the last 12-13 years is undoubtedly among the greatest bowlers the game has ever seen.

That last line is definitely questionable even if we consider from 01 Jan 2010.

His record since 1 Jan 2010:-

Wickets - 486
Overall Average - 24
Away & Neutral average - 27(188 wickets)

That just about gets him into ATG territory but after counting from 01 Jan 2010 onwards. The conditions and Duke bowl favour him very well.

 

[PakLFC]

James is the real deal. When he sings is it stays swung most places where the gteat man plays

 

[James]

Yeah, he's no Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn is leagues ahead of Anderson but people make it seem like Anderson is the GOAT bowler of the 2010s.

Steyn at his peak was/is the better bowler and his strike rate was incredible; I think “leagues ahead” is a bit of an overstatement though — given Anderson’s record, his skill set, and the incredible longevity and resilience that he has demonstrated.

 

[Mamoon]

That last line is definitely questionable even if we consider from 01 Jan 2010.

His record since 1 Jan 2010:-

Wickets - 486
Overall Average - 24
Away & Neutral average - 27(188 wickets)

That just about gets him into ATG territory but after counting from 01 Jan 2010 onwards. The conditions and Duke bowl favour him very well.

No fast bowler has taken more Test wickets in history. That alone makes him one of the greatest of all time. His name is forever etched in the history and folklore of cricket, and people who are fixated on his average and decimal points cannot change that.

 

[Mamoon]

How come you never use that logic on Pakistani players?

On thread, Anderson is an England great who has now past his prime.

Can you think of any Pakistani player(s) who started slowly but ended up becoming a great? Hard to think. The are usually are great from the beginning (Imran, Wasim, Miandad etc.) or they start brightly but go off the rockers.

Imran was ordinary in the beginning but not for very long, because he was out of the team immediately and then returned a different cricket, so I don’t think he qualifies.

Maybe you could make a case for Rizwan but he needs to continue for a few more years before he can be considered a great, though he is already the greatest Pakistani wicket-keeper batsman ever - notwithstanding the fact that the bar is embarrassingly slow.

The other reason is that I don’t like Pakistan cricket or Pakistani cricketers in general.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Longevity definitely backs that. May not walk into all time great XI. But still one of the many ATGs.

 

[Zaz]

I wonder why the ecb are still playing him

Hes 39 and doesnt play every test any more ditto broad They r both well past their best

Theyve had 4 years to build a pace attack who could win down under and they roll out the same medium pacers english seamers Woakes Anderson And Broad

why are these two being rolled out when they clearly dont have it in them to win you the ashes?

Look to build and move forward

 

[Savak]

Playing Anderson and Broad outside England at their ages makes no sense anymore. England have blundered by playing them this ashes

 

[Gilly]

Anderson is playing for records now which is harming the team, England bowling is deteriorating instead of developing.

 

[Manunited18]

Both Anderson and Broad need to retire at the End of this series

 

[Ab Fan]

No fast bowler has taken more Test wickets in history. That alone makes him one of the greatest of all time. His name is forever etched in the history and folklore of cricket, and people who are fixated on his average and decimal points cannot change that.

Great bowler but not comparable to the likes of Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Steyn, Imran, Ambrose and Wasim.

 

[Zaz]

Anderson is playing for records now which is harming the team, England bowling is deteriorating instead of developing.

A line shouldve been drawn a while back Anderson great as he is in home conditions isnt gonna win you overseas games at his age and hes also holding back other prospects who potentially could

This should be his last series for me Time to move forward

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

Great bowler yes, fantastic fitness and the zeal to perform and win
yes, ATG in my book.
Pathetic on field behaviour which i wouldnt want my young ones to emulate same like mcgrath, vk, lillee a host of others
But i'd stillrate Steyn as better all conditions bowler than jim grump

 

[jnaveen1980]

Playing Anderson and Broad outside England at their ages makes no sense anymore. England have blundered by playing them this ashes

I agree about Anderson. But Broad was their best bowler on display.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Bowled beautifully this morning, he's still very much who the rest of the team look at to set an example. He was a bit unlucky not to get another wicket in that spell.

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The problem is more that in Australian conditions, the likes of Anderson and Woakes are never likely to be that threatening due to the fact neither hits the pitch hard. England keep making the same selection mistakes over and over again since Andrew Strauss retired.

 

[Mamoon]

Great bowler but not comparable to the likes of Marshall, McGrath, Hadlee, Steyn, Imran, Ambrose and Wasim.

At the end of the day, he will retire with the most Test wickets for a fast bowler in history, and this record might never be challenged. It is something incredibly special, and I doubt if he would swap this for any record and I doubt if he would care if some people don’t rate him in the same class as those bowlers.

I bet Steyn would happily swap his record for Anderson’s 600+ wickets.

 

[Savak]

At the end of the day, he will retire with the most Test wickets for a fast bowler in history, and this record might never be challenged. It is something incredibly special, and I doubt if he would swap this for any record and I doubt if he would care if some people don’t rate him in the same class as those bowlers.

I bet Steyn would happily swap his record for Anderson’s 600+ wickets.

Steyn declined by the end of his career where he didn't play much in his last 4 years due to injuries and SA themselves dropped him from all formats and he went unpicked in the IPL drafts.

Anderson is still dangerous in his conditions

 

[Mamoon]

Steyn declined by the end of his career where he didn't play much in his last 4 years due to injuries and SA themselves dropped him from all formats and he went unpicked in the IPL drafts.

Anderson is still dangerous in his conditions

Steyn aged very badly. He was still the best fast bowler in Test cricket by the time he was 32, but he was a shell of his former-self by his mid 30s.

South Africa managed his workload throughout his career but he still failed have a long career. Should have easily managed 120+ Tests.

 

[Ab Fan]

At the end of the day, he will retire with the most Test wickets for a fast bowler in history, and this record might never be challenged. It is something incredibly special, and I doubt if he would swap this for any record and I doubt if he would care if some people don’t rate him in the same class as those bowlers.

I bet Steyn would happily swap his record for Anderson’s 600+ wickets.

Nope, Steyn won't swap. The period in which both played together, Steyn was by far the better bowler and its not even a comparison.

Yes, longevity matters and hence, I would rate him higher than say, Vern( averaged 22). Don't think he can be rated any bit higher than S Pollock though.

 

[Mamoon]

Nope, Steyn won't swap. The period in which both played together, Steyn was by far the better bowler and its not even a comparison.

Yes, longevity matters and hence, I would rate him higher than say, Vern( averaged 22). Don't think he can be rated any bit higher than S Pollock though.

If Steyn won’t swap 439 Test wickets for the most Test wickets in history, he is not right in his head.

It doesn’t matter if Steyn was better when they played together - Anderson has a bigger legacy.

Having the most Test wickets in history for a fast bowler is a bigger milestone than anything Steyn achieved in his career.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Before Mcgrath, Courtney Walsh was the highest wicket taker and that guy isn't even rated amongst top 5 windies bowler, that too when he has a very good record away from home unlike Anderson.

So this argument of being the best ever just bcoz you are the highest wicket taker has no legs to stand upon.

 

[Zaz]

Before Mcgrath, Courtney Walsh was the highest wicket taker and that guy isn't even rated amongst top 5 windies bowler, that too when he has a very good record away from home unlike Anderson.

So this argument of being the best ever just bcoz you are the highest wicket taker has no legs to stand upon.

Spot on Theres been several people in the past whove had the most wickets n never considered to be the best ever

Kapil Dev is again one that comes to mind

 

[Rajdeep]

Anderson was bowling high 130s and touching 140s in England this summer. Here he is trundling at 125 range makes you wonder if he is fully fit. Infact he looked much sharper in India as well earlier this year.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Anderson was bowling high 130s and touching 140s in England this summer. Here he is trundling at 125 range makes you wonder if he is fully fit. Infact he looked much sharper in India as well earlier this year.

He bowled high 130s during the first session today, it's just a matter of bowling as many overs as possible to regain that rhythm. He hasn't bowled much since September.

 

[Ab Fan]

If Steyn won’t swap 439 Test wickets for the most Test wickets in history, he is not right in his head.

It doesn’t matter if Steyn was better when they played together - Anderson has a bigger legacy.

Having the most Test wickets in history for a fast bowler is a bigger milestone than anything Steyn achieved in his career.

Seriously, lol??

With an away average of 31, he will do well to fit the shoe-lace of Dale Steyn who has the greatest strike rate for any fast bowler that has played the game. Even Kagiso Rabada is already a better bowler than James Anderson with 200 wickets at average of 22 at an age of 25.

I think he is nothing more than just a poor man's Dale Steyn and it won't change even if he takes 1000 test wickets. It is like rating Kapil Dev higher than Malcolm Marshall because Dev got more wickets than Marshall and both played in same era.

 

[James]

Some borderline disrespectful comments being made about James Anderson in this thread. If he’s not your favourite or you don’t rate him as the best, that’s fine, but he has clearly achieved a great deal in the game of cricket — so him being “leagues behind”, “not fit to tie shoelaces”, or “a poor man’s version” are rude and factually incorrect statements.

 

[Ab Fan]

Some borderline disrespectful comments being made about James Anderson in this thread. If he’s not your favourite or you don’t rate him as the best, that’s fine, but he has clearly achieved a great deal in the game of cricket — so him being “leagues behind”, “not fit to tie shoelaces”, or “a poor man’s version” are rude and factually incorrect statements.

I don't like to disrespect James Anderson at all because I do consider him the second best bowler of this generation and rated him at the level of Pollock or Walsh which is indeed a testimony of how great his achievements are. However, suggestions like if Steyn doesn't swap his 439 wickets at 22 or his match winning performances away from home in most of the conditions with Anderson, "he is not in right head" comments will surely induce responses of similar taste back.