Ageless James Anderson is on his journey to prove 40 is just another number for him
Ageless James Anderson is on his journey to prove 40 is just another number for him: On the 30th of July 2022, the legendary English paceman James Anderson turned 40. This is the time by which the majority of pacemen would have long ago retired. Anderson is in talks to be in charge of England’s bowling during the three-match Test series. The series is against South Africa at home in August.
The “master of swing” does not display any signs of slowing down. There is an extreme physical demand for fast bowling. It is virtually impossible for a Test “quick” to perform in their mid-30s.
But James Anderson seems to be improving with age. He has played 172 Tests. Anderson has taken 657 wickets. He is ranked third among all spinners. James is behind only the late Shane Warne and the long-retired Muttiah Muralitharan. In his early 30s, he has taken 389 wickets. He achieved this in 101 Test matches. He is on his journey to take 400 for the first time.
Anderson’s strike rate and bowling average both are rising with his age. According to sources, Anderson averaged 28.47 runs per Test wicket between the ages of 25 and 29. Between the ages of 30 and 34, the strike rate increased to 25.45. After turning 35, his average reached a fantastic 21.39.
Courtney Walsh of the West Indies is another paceman who is in the vicinity to achieve such longevity. He bowls at a real rapid tempo in opposition to Anderson’s efficient fast-medium speed. Walsh took his retirement in 2001 at the age of 38. He boasts a 132-Test career taking 519 wickets.
James Anderson holds the record for the most Test Wickets by fast bowler beyond the age of 35
He has bagged 180 wickets from 39 games. Owing to this, he holds the record for the most Test wickets taken by a fast bowler beyond the age of 35. Anderson has a comparable 177 wickets from 47 matches. He is set to take Walsh’s milestone.
Les Jackson of Derbyshire stands at second in the two England appearances he made. He achieved this when he was 40 in 1961.
The list of Test quicks is dominated by the England team. Gubby Allen played his last of 25 Tests spread out over 18 years. It was against the West Indies in 1948 when he was 46. George Geary and the legendary Maurice Tate displayed their talents in Test cricket until they were 40.
South African cricketer, Geoff Chubb retired in 1951 at the age of 40. He took retirement barely two months after making his debut.
Australian all-rounder George Kelleway performed in his final Test match in 1928. Kelleway was 42 at that time.
West Indian cricketer, Hines Johnson retired at the age of 41. He just made three appearances.
James Anderson has the potential to come back: David Lloyd
David Lloyd has been observing James Anderson since his early days. James was with the Red Rose County in his early career.
“Jimmy started as Banksy doing graffiti, but now he’s a Rembrandt,” Lloyd revealed in his Daily Mail column.
“I guess we are always looking to see if, turning the grand old age of 40, his pace is down or whether he can still come back strong for third and fourth spells. The answers are the pace is still absolutely quick enough and, yes, he can come back just as strong.”
Lloyd is a former Lancashire and England opener. He now handles the role of a coach.
The Lancashire squad consisted of Brian Statham and a superb England new-ball bowler, Lloyd. He began his career with this.
Statham was famous for his merciless precision. He bagged 252 wickets in 70 Test matches with an excellent average of 24.84.
Statham’s whole first-class career spanned over 559 games and finished in 1968. He was 38 years old and managed to produce 2,260 wickets.
Anderson played in just 277 first-class games and claimed 1,077 wickets. The clear disparity between the two sets of data shows the decline of domestic first-class matches. The difference is seen during the preceding decades as well as the rise in Test nation participation.
Anderson did not have to bowl hundreds of overs for Lancashire.
Along with Stuart Broad, Anderson established a highly effective twin act at the Test level. It was similar to when Statham benefited from bowling alongside Fred Trueman for England.
They were both excluded from the March West Indies trip giving rise to controversies. But under Ben Stokes, they are back in the lineup and are prepared to take on the Proteas.