The King of Swing: James Anderson

On Tuesday (25th August) evening, James Anderson became the first fast bowler to take 600 Test wickets. There is little doubt about the English bowler's devotion towards the game but at 38 years old, this feat is a testament to his exemplary work ethic and the high regard he has towards the craft of fast bowling. To define Anderson's career, especially post the injury that ruled him out of the England tour of South Africa, in one word would be: Endurance. Much doubt had been cast over the bowler's form, and had he called time on his career much earlier than achieving this milestone, he would still have a place in the pantheon of all-time great cricketers.

The elite list to have breached the 600-wicket barrier in Test cricket include former Sri Lanka's great legspinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800), former Australian legendary off-spinner Shane Warne (708), and Anil Kumble (619), one of India's finest leg spinner who is currently coaching the Kings XI Punjab team in the 2020 Indian Premier League season. Anderson's international debut came against Zimbabwe in May 2003, and since then he has played in 156 Tests and bowled a staggering 33,745 delivers so far, the most by a pace bowler. His career had a slow start to his career, taking nearly 5 years to establish himself in the Test squad and since 2009, he has been prolific wicket-taker for England. 

World-class spinners enjoy a long and fruitful international career, while most fast bowlers tend to have frequent breakdowns and hang up their boots by age 34 or 35. Even at the age of 38, Jimmy's remarkable ability to consistently bowl just outside of the off-stump and have batsmen prodding over deliveries is something most bowlers, both young and old players would dream of having. From former England captain Nasser Hussain to the current England Test captain Joe Root, they have trusted the ball in Anderson's hands with the full knowledge that he will not let them down.

Cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar claimed Anderson's bowling arsenal had a fourth method to reverse the ball, unique to other bowlers, which he called it the 'reverse reverse swing' method. As Tendulkar discussed this ability of Anderson on his chat with West Indies Cricketing legend Brian Lara on the 100MB app, he said: "He [Anderson] has the ability to deliver a reverse out-swinger with the wrist position of a conventional in-swinger." Confounding batsmen with his wrist position has been Anderson's biggest assets, and Tendulkar is probably the best judge of that, having been dismissed a record nine times in Test matches by him. No other bowler had the number of the world’s most celebrated batsmen like he did. 

For years, Anderson's action is all about extracting maximum output while putting minimum effort. Adhering to this formula: a rhythmic run-up from about 20 yards behind the bowling crease; take two or three skittering steps, upper body leaning forward at a 45-degree angle; a side-on action with a weight transfer and a smooth landing that allows him to dispatch the ball at between 80 and 90mph at the stumps. Undoubtedly, Anderson is at his devastating best when there’s a cloud cover and a slight nip in the air. Since 2014, he has averaged less than 22, and has picked up 103 wickets to his name at Lord's Cricket ground - no other international pace has taken 100-plus wickets at any one venue. Overall, with an impressive average of 23.84 at home, the veteran has been an irresistible proposition in England.

While it is unfair to label Anderson a 'home track bully', he receives his fair share of criticism, especially when on tour. With the absence of lateral movement, the Kookaburra ball does not hoop around for long compared to the Dukes ball, making it difficult for him to shine in the Australian conditions. Similarly, he has also struggled on the batting and spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent. It would require a herculean effort from other pace bowlers to match or surpass this James Anderson's feat, and while Broad seems the closest to reach the 600-mark, Jimmy has his target set on claiming 700 wickets and said: "Can I reach 700? Why not?" By the beginning of the 2021-22 Ashes series in Australia, Anderson will be 39 years old, but currently remains focused on the World Test Championship and stated that he would keep proving his worth.

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