Jimmy Anderson: The King of swing turns 40

On the 22nd of May 2003, a 6ft 2 in pacer made his first international cricket appearance for England. Little did the world know then that the young pacer would become a legend of the game.

Today on the 30th of July 2022, James Anderson turns 40. Over the last 19 years, Anderson has dominated world cricket, especially the longest format like no other pacer from his team. 

Ask any opener who has played cricket against James Anderson and 99% of them will answer that the one sight they hate to see is Anderson running in with the red cherry on an overcast morning on a green pitch. Not only the openers he has troubled even the best batters in the middle order.

The longevity of the man is evident from the fact that from India’s greatest batter, Sachin Tendulkar to the newest sensation, Shubman Gill, he has dismissed them all. So on the special day of one of the greatest of the games let us take a look at his performances against the best batters of his time. 

Cheteshwar Pujara: Cheteshwar Pujara was projected as the replacement of Rahul Dravid by India because of his technique and solidity in batting. The batter has played 96 Tests for India and has scored 6792 runs for his team at an impressive average of 43.8.

Anderson has dismissed him the most times in Test cricket, a staggering 12 times.

David Warner: The left-hander from Australia, is considered one of the most dynamic openers in Test cricket. In 96 Test matches, he has scored 7815 runs at an average of 46.5. 

Anderson has troubled the best in the business

Anderson has picked up Warner 10 times in the purest format of the game. 

Michael Clarke: Michael Clarke took up the reins of Australian cricket not only as a captain but also as the mainstay of the middle order of the team after the retirement of Ricky Ponting. During his stay of 115 Tests, Clarke scored 8643 runs at an average of 49.1.

Anderson has an impressive record against the batter, dismissing him 9 times in Test cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar: Many consider Sachin Tendulkar to be the Greatest of All Time. In a legendary career of 200 matches, Tendulkar scored 15921 runs at an average of 53.8.

Even against ‘The God’, Anderson was pretty impressive. He dismissed Tendulkar 9 times in Test cricket.

Virat Kohli: Post the ‘Tendulkar-era’, Virat Kohli has been the most prolific run scorer for India. In 102 Tests, so far Kohli has scored 8074 runs at an average of 49.5.

Anderson has had a great tussle with Virat Kohli

Anderson has even troubled one of the modern greats dismissing him 7 times in the longest format of cricket.

Besides, his impressive records against the best of his contemporaries, the fact that he is the pacer with the highest number of Test wickets (657 wickets in 172 Tests) is evidence of his contribution to the game.

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