James Anderson, hailing from Burnley, Lancashire, is currently regarded as one of the finest swing bowlers worldwide. He made his debut for the England cricket team in 2002 and experienced a fluctuating period until late 2007, frequently being in and out of the squad. A remarkable performance during the 2003 World Cup against Pakistan marked his arrival, yet he struggled to sustain his success and eventually fell out of favour.
Career beginnings
During the initial stages of his career, Anderson was perceived as lacking the necessary qualities to excel at the international level, often being considered too gentle. However, since late 2007, he has demonstrated exceptional prowess. He has consistently taken wickets against various opponents, and his exceptional performance against the Australians in Australia has further solidified his reputation. As a result, his resume now appears to be comprehensive and impressive.
During the inconsistent years, when he was not regularly included in the team, the coaching management of England made adjustments to his bowling technique. These changes had a negative impact on his confidence and performance. But, as soon as he reverted back to his original bowling action, he regained his top form. He was able to swing the ball sharply and take numerous wickets. His most remarkable performance occurred during the 2010 Ashes, where he led the England attack and bowled exceptionally well with the Kookaburra ball, capturing 24 wickets. This helped him overcome the disappointments of his previous visit to Australia in 2006, during which he managed to take only five wickets.
With his classic side-on action, he naturally produces outswing, and when using an older ball, he can skilfully achieve reverse swing. When he is in a good rhythm and the playing conditions are suitable to his style, he becomes extremely difficult to play against. He often delivers deliveries that pitch on the middle and leg and hit the off-stump, leaving the batsmen confused and struggling.
He is a skilled lower-order batsman and his notable accomplishment thus far is going through 54 test innings without getting out for zero, which is a record at the global level. As a fast bowler, he excels as a fielder and demonstrates great athleticism. He is swift in his movements on the field and possesses reliable catching abilities, often positioned at gully and backward point.
Statistics and Performance
Anderson made his Test debut in 2003 and represented England in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) from 2002 to 2015 and in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) from 2007 to 2009. In 2018, during England's 1,000th Test, he was recognised as one of the best players in the country's history by being named in the England and Wales Cricket Board's greatest all-time Test XI. As of February 2024, he is currently ranked as the seventh-best Test bowler in the world according to the ICC Men's Player Rankings.
Anderson is a right-arm fast-medium bowler. He holds the record for the most Test wickets taken by a fast bowler, surpassing 600 wickets, and in March 2024, he became the first fast bowler to reach the milestone of 700 wickets. He is also England's leading Test wicket-taker and has played the highest number of Test matches for the country, second only to Sachin Tendulkar in overall Test appearances. In One Day Internationals, he holds the record for the most wickets taken by an English player, with a total of 269. Additionally, he and Joe Root share the world record for the highest partnership for the tenth wicket in Test matches, scoring 198 runs together.
Interesting facts
Anderson has garnered attention for his ever-changing hairstyles, appealing appearance, and fashionable clothing. These qualities have led to comparisons between him and well-known sports figures like David Beckham. He tied the knot with Daniella Lloyd, an English model whom he encountered in 2004, and together they have been blessed with two daughters.
In June 2013, during a match against Australia in the ICC Champions Trophy, Anderson achieved a significant milestone for England. By claiming his 235th wicket, he surpassed Darren Gough to become England's top wicket-taker in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Additionally, Anderson reached another milestone during the fifth Test against Australia at The Oval in August 2013. By taking his 326th wicket, he became England's second-highest wicket-taker in Test matches.
England had high expectations for their main fast bowler, Anderson, during the 2013-14 Ashes series in Australia. Unfortunately, he didn't perform well, and as a result, England ended up losing the series 5-0. However, Anderson redeemed himself during the 2014 summer matches against Sri Lanka and India. In the Test series against Sri Lanka, he made a valiant effort to save the series by batting for 55 balls before getting out on the penultimate ball of the game. He was acknowledged as England's standout player in that series. Anderson continued his impressive form against India, although he faced criticism for not taking full advantage of the favourable conditions at Lord's, where England lost. Nevertheless, he bounced back in the next three games, contributing significantly to England's 3-1 series victory. With 25 wickets, he was the leading wicket-taker and received another Man of the Series award. In the series against India, Anderson achieved a record-breaking partnership with Joe Root, scoring 198 runs together and surpassing the previous Test record by 35 runs. Anderson also achieved the highest score ever by an England No. 11 batsman, reaching 81 runs.
Despite suffering a knee injury, Anderson returned to cricket and participated in the tri-series in Australia, which also involved India. Additionally, he was chosen to lead England's bowling attack in the 2015 World Cup campaign. On September 8, 2017, Anderson became the first English bowler (and the sixth overall) to reach 500 Test wickets. Kraigg Brathwaite of the West Indies became his 500th wicket during the second innings of the Lord's Test.