James Anderson is all set to retire from international cricket as England prepares for his farewell match in the inaugural Test match of the three-game series against West Indies. The 41-year-old pacer will bid adieu to the game, being the second-most capped player in Tests. Anderson will make his 188th Test appearance at Lord’s on July 10. He boasts a Test career spanning over 21 years, where he has taken 700 scalps thus far. During a Q&A session on Sky Sports Cricket ahead of the start of his final Test, Anderson was asked about the best batter he ever faced.
James Anderson’s choice for best batter
Anderson ignored batting superstar Virat Kohli and legendary Australian batter Steven Smith to pick the cricket icon Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar as the best batter he has faced in his career. According to Anderson, Tendulkar is the best batter he has faced in his 21-year-long career, which will end this week. Anderson said, “The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar.”
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The iconic rivalry in Test cricket
Anderson has played in 39 Tests against India and picked up 149 wickets. Tendulkar faced Anderson between 2006 to 2012 in Test matches, with Anderson dismissing him 9 times. Over these encounters, Tendulkar scored a total of 208 runs against Anderson, showcasing his resilience and skill. He faced 350 balls, resulting in a strike rate of 59.4. Despite being dismissed 9 times, Tendulkar managed to hit 34 fours, but no sixes. The number of dot balls faced was significant, amounting to 260. Tendulkar’s performance against Anderson, reflected in an average of 23.1 runs per dismissal, highlights the competitive nature of their battles. This rivalry is a notable aspect of their Test cricket careers.
Anderson’s illustrious career
Anderson made his international debut for England in an ODI match against Australia in Melbourne in 2002. A year later, in 2003, the legendary pacer received his maiden Test cap against Zimbabwe at Lord’s. Ever since embarking on his international career, Anderson went on to etch his name as one of the greatest ever pacers to grace the sport. Anderson was the first pacer to take 700 wickets in Test Cricket, a milestone he achieved in the fifth and final Test of the five-match series against Team India in Dharamshala. He is also the highest wicket-taker for England in ODIs with 269 wickets.
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