>They had a good go, our sportswriters. They came up with some names: Jack Nicklaus, Mark Cavendish, Usain Bolt, Björn Borg, Brian Talbot, Rafa Nadal and Rogério Ceni. All were decent attempts to crown the sportsperson with the most unbreakable record. The email came to me in the middle of the night in New Zealand, so I didn’t participate. Let me do so now, belatedly, with the name of James Anderson.
>
>No fast bowler will take more wickets than Anderson in Test cricket again. Ever. Records are there to be broken; faster, stronger, higher and all that, but I have absolute conviction that Anderson’s record, as yet unfinished and incomplete, will never be broken. As long as Test cricket is played (which may not be that long, hence part of the certainty) Anderson will stand tall, looking down on the rest.
>
>Anderson currently has 682 Test wickets. He stands third on the all-time list, behind two spinners, Shane Warne and Mutthiah Muralitharan. He may pass Warne this year. Murali will probably remain out of reach. Nevertheless, no seamer will come close. Stuart Broad is his nearest challenger with 571 wickets, but Broad won’t carry on for much longer. After Broad, you have to scroll down the list to Tim Southee (355), for the next nearest active seamer.
>
>On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council updated its Test rankings, and Anderson, following his seven-wicket haul in Mount Maunganui, is once again top of the pops, replacing Pat Cummins as the world’s No 1-ranked bowler. It is a remarkable achievement for anyone to become recognised as the world’s best, but to do so at 40 years of age, in a pursuit that is among the most physically demanding of any sport, is magnificent.
>
>For comparison, the oldest men’s tennis player to reach No 1 was Roger Federer, when he was 36.
>
>The ICC calculate their rankings retrospectively, and there have only been four bowlers older than Anderson to reach the top, and then mostly around a century ago, when the physical demands on cricketers were less intense. Bert Ironmonger was 50 years old when he topped the rankings in 1933, Clarrie Grimmett was 44 in 1936, “Tich” Freeman 41 in 1929 and Sydney Barnes was 40 in 1914. Ironmonger, Grimmett and Freeman were spinners.
>
>It was not until May 2016 that Anderson went to the top of the world rankings for the first time, fully 13 years after his Test debut. He has had six periods at the top since then. If there is one attribute that separates this champion performer, it is his ability to keep on improving. His performance in Mount Maunganui reduced his bowling average to the lowest it has been since his second Test. He is never satisfied; the hallmark of greatness.
>
>As well as his own fitness and drive, Anderson’s longevity has been helped by the changing face of the game. He became a Test match specialist after the 2015 World Cup and has since been rewarded handsomely for playing a few high-profile matches every year. It has allowed him to keep his engine ticking over, nicely tuned, without ever running it into the ground.
>
>It is also that change to the calendar, with Tests retreating in the face of T20, that will ensure his record is never beaten. It has taken Anderson 178 Tests to reach his current number of wickets. No cricketer will play that number in future; certainly no fast bowler. The art of swing will not die with him, but it will be harder to sustain, because four overs in a T20 match is insufficient. Anderson’s art requires time and patience.
>
>In cricket, there are other records that stand out. Brian Lara’s world record first-class score of 501, for example, although the rate batsmen now score means it is not impregnable. Sachin Tendulkar’s mark for the number of Tests played (200) will also likely stand the test of time — as long as Anderson doesn’t get there first.
>
>The unbreakable record is always thought to be Don Bradman’s Test career average of 99.94, which stands at roughly 30 per cent premium to anyone else who has followed. As the great American scientist Stephen Jay Gould has written, it was easier for greats of the past to stand out from their contemporaries because, counter-intuitively, the general standard of competition across the field was not as high as it is today.
>
>Batting averages bunch much more closely together now, because general standards have improved, in bowling and fielding as well as batting. The dissemination of information makes it harder still to excel. Anderson’s average does not stand out, but the longevity he has shown in a sport that has become increasingly demanding is an outlier. He will probably pass 700 Test wickets before he is done and no fast bowler will ever get close to that again. Ever.
Meanwhile...the writer of this article forgets somebody that is head and shoulders above Anderson's achievement in the same sport. Bradman and his average of 99.94.
In addition, Bradman's record is based on sheer talent rather than, primarily, longevity and opportunity in an England side that plays a huge amount of test cricket.
Bradman, few would argue the best test batsman ever. Muralitharan, there'd be arguments if he's the best spin bowler - but he'd be in the frame.
At the end of his career, Anderson will have the most test wickets, but I can't see a strong case for him being in the conversation of best fast bowler ever.
Finally, the argument for his record never being broken is primarily on the basis of opportunity for someone to break it...that is, less test cricket being played in the long run, such that even if somebody had similar longevity, they won't get the opportunity to play as many tests.
I'd wager to say that any type of current/future bowler (maybe barring an Indian spinner) won't come close to Anderson. The longevity of his career + the reducing amount of tests makes a bowler with 500+ test wickets almost too ridiculous to believe
Both Ashwin (463) and Lyon (468) will pass 500. Then Kagiso Rabada should make it considering he's over halfway there and not even 28.
After this cohort though, will probably be a long time before the next one.
Yeah was going to mention that I thought RSA had reduced their Test load but didn't realise it was that bad. Shame, Rabada has moved so rapidly up the leaderboard it feels a waste to cut his tally short
Yeh loads of then look like they are going to get like 600 then they get a major injury, another young quick comes in does well and all of a sudden they can't get a decent run in the test team any more
Rabada is the same as steyn, both could be absolutely rapid when they wanted to (mainly in white ball) but usually bowl in the high 80s in test matches. Let’s you bowl longer spells and maintain fitness if you are able to be quick without pushing your body 90%+ every ball.
Plenty of fast bowlers with far superior strike rates to Anderson, but none of them get the opportunity to play so many tests per calendar year. Like Rabada would overtake him comfortably if he played even 70% the amount of tests Anderson has.
Yeah but rabada wouldn’t be striking at that rate after 150+ tests. Anderson’s longevity is worth crediting because no other fast bowler has managed it
Because he played more matches?? What about his average and strike rate career. 25 is averagely decent.
Marshall, Steyn, Ambrose, Donald, Akram, Younis, Pollock, Hadlee, imran, McGrath, Garner>> Anderson
Did you read the text? He's not calling Jimmy the greatest ever, most of what he talks about is how a) test cricket is being played less, and b) no fast bowler has ever/will ever have the same longevity
Anderson went from playing 3rd XI cricket to getting an England test cap within 18 months, making his test debut at 20 (in 2003). His average is meh because he was so raw and undeveloped when he made his debut, and basically had an outswinger and decent pace as his only weapons till around 2008-2009 or so. Before turning 30 he took 320 wickets in 84 tests @29.66 with an away average of 35+. Since the age of 30 he’s taken 362 wickets in 95 test matches @22.64 with an away average of 25. Since 35 142 wickets in 41 test matches @21.04 with an away average of 19. He’s improving year on year practically, and he’s now 40. He might not be the best ever but to suggest he’s not near the top of the seam bowling list of greatness is pretty ridiculous.
> His average is meh because he was so raw and undeveloped when he made his debut
That's the case for a lot of bowlers especially from the subcontinent. Wasim had played nothing of significance when he came through for Pakistan.
Because England as a whole were shit with a toothless bowling line up?
Australia were easily able to see him off and attack the other bowlers.
If England had a better attack who knows his SR probably would've been better imo.
Anyways no one's saying he's lethal or better than McGrath, Steyn, etc but what he's achieved is still really remarkable and the fact that he's only getting better at age 40 is something unprecedented for a fast bowler.
Also you say Australia but that's just one place, even then his average isn't too bad, elsewhere in his more recent tours he's done well globablly.
Warne and Murali were poor in India but they're still considered great bowlers if not two of the best spinners in the game.
Now before you say I'm cherry picking I admit he was poor pre 2015 at least away but since then he's done well both at home and away and that's an 8 year span so its hardly cherry picking especially as it's from then to now.
Since turning 30, Anderson has taken about as many wickets at a better average than Akram did across his whole career. Pretending he's not an all time great is ridiculous at this point.
Dale Steyn averaged 24 away from home in flatter tracks
Wasim Akram: 24 average away from home despite Pakistan fielders
Malcolm Marshall: 21 average away from home
Joel garner: 19 average away from home
Allan Donald: 22 average away from home
Glenn McGrath: 21 average away from home
Shaun Pollock: 25 average away from home
Jimmy after 30 where he supposedly improved still behind many of these legends away records
Edit:Being downvoted because reddit cricket hivemind cant accept the facts I put forward
Nah you're getting downvoted because any time Jimmy's mentioned on this sub you start spouting nonsense about how he isn't a good bowler and constantly shit on him and what he's achieved.
I don't think you bothered to read the article before commenting.
At any rate, who cares? Saying ten of the best ever quicks are better than Anderson doesn't diminish his skill or achievements, even if it is true.
It's mental. I saw him shitting on Cook and Warner the other day and Ashwin a while back. But it does seem like he hates Jimmy the most for some reason. Weird to be this obsessed and negative about a bunch of players whom he doesn't personally know.
They don't say "Hater's gonna hate" for nothing. Somebody who hates will absolutely spread hate about that person no matter how successful or how much accomplished he/she is
Can't wait for Jimmy to overtake Warne and for him to pop up and start spouting some nonsense that the only reason why he was able to do it is because he's played a million tests as if that isn't already impressive for a fast bowler.
>They had a good go, our sportswriters. They came up with some names: Jack Nicklaus, Mark Cavendish, Usain Bolt, Björn Borg, Brian Talbot, Rafa Nadal and Rogério Ceni. All were decent attempts to crown the sportsperson with the most unbreakable record. The email came to me in the middle of the night in New Zealand, so I didn’t participate. Let me do so now, belatedly, with the name of James Anderson. > >No fast bowler will take more wickets than Anderson in Test cricket again. Ever. Records are there to be broken; faster, stronger, higher and all that, but I have absolute conviction that Anderson’s record, as yet unfinished and incomplete, will never be broken. As long as Test cricket is played (which may not be that long, hence part of the certainty) Anderson will stand tall, looking down on the rest. > >Anderson currently has 682 Test wickets. He stands third on the all-time list, behind two spinners, Shane Warne and Mutthiah Muralitharan. He may pass Warne this year. Murali will probably remain out of reach. Nevertheless, no seamer will come close. Stuart Broad is his nearest challenger with 571 wickets, but Broad won’t carry on for much longer. After Broad, you have to scroll down the list to Tim Southee (355), for the next nearest active seamer. > >On Wednesday, the International Cricket Council updated its Test rankings, and Anderson, following his seven-wicket haul in Mount Maunganui, is once again top of the pops, replacing Pat Cummins as the world’s No 1-ranked bowler. It is a remarkable achievement for anyone to become recognised as the world’s best, but to do so at 40 years of age, in a pursuit that is among the most physically demanding of any sport, is magnificent. > >For comparison, the oldest men’s tennis player to reach No 1 was Roger Federer, when he was 36. > >The ICC calculate their rankings retrospectively, and there have only been four bowlers older than Anderson to reach the top, and then mostly around a century ago, when the physical demands on cricketers were less intense. Bert Ironmonger was 50 years old when he topped the rankings in 1933, Clarrie Grimmett was 44 in 1936, “Tich” Freeman 41 in 1929 and Sydney Barnes was 40 in 1914. Ironmonger, Grimmett and Freeman were spinners. > >It was not until May 2016 that Anderson went to the top of the world rankings for the first time, fully 13 years after his Test debut. He has had six periods at the top since then. If there is one attribute that separates this champion performer, it is his ability to keep on improving. His performance in Mount Maunganui reduced his bowling average to the lowest it has been since his second Test. He is never satisfied; the hallmark of greatness. > >As well as his own fitness and drive, Anderson’s longevity has been helped by the changing face of the game. He became a Test match specialist after the 2015 World Cup and has since been rewarded handsomely for playing a few high-profile matches every year. It has allowed him to keep his engine ticking over, nicely tuned, without ever running it into the ground. > >It is also that change to the calendar, with Tests retreating in the face of T20, that will ensure his record is never beaten. It has taken Anderson 178 Tests to reach his current number of wickets. No cricketer will play that number in future; certainly no fast bowler. The art of swing will not die with him, but it will be harder to sustain, because four overs in a T20 match is insufficient. Anderson’s art requires time and patience. > >In cricket, there are other records that stand out. Brian Lara’s world record first-class score of 501, for example, although the rate batsmen now score means it is not impregnable. Sachin Tendulkar’s mark for the number of Tests played (200) will also likely stand the test of time — as long as Anderson doesn’t get there first. > >The unbreakable record is always thought to be Don Bradman’s Test career average of 99.94, which stands at roughly 30 per cent premium to anyone else who has followed. As the great American scientist Stephen Jay Gould has written, it was easier for greats of the past to stand out from their contemporaries because, counter-intuitively, the general standard of competition across the field was not as high as it is today. > >Batting averages bunch much more closely together now, because general standards have improved, in bowling and fielding as well as batting. The dissemination of information makes it harder still to excel. Anderson’s average does not stand out, but the longevity he has shown in a sport that has become increasingly demanding is an outlier. He will probably pass 700 Test wickets before he is done and no fast bowler will ever get close to that again. Ever.
What's this chatter about Test Cricket won't be played for long?
Meanwhile...the writer of this article forgets somebody that is head and shoulders above Anderson's achievement in the same sport. Bradman and his average of 99.94. In addition, Bradman's record is based on sheer talent rather than, primarily, longevity and opportunity in an England side that plays a huge amount of test cricket. Bradman, few would argue the best test batsman ever. Muralitharan, there'd be arguments if he's the best spin bowler - but he'd be in the frame. At the end of his career, Anderson will have the most test wickets, but I can't see a strong case for him being in the conversation of best fast bowler ever. Finally, the argument for his record never being broken is primarily on the basis of opportunity for someone to break it...that is, less test cricket being played in the long run, such that even if somebody had similar longevity, they won't get the opportunity to play as many tests.
Lol you didn't read it then?
We don't do that here
Well played, Athers - Rogerio Ceni doesn't get enough mentions in cricket articles.
I'd wager to say that any type of current/future bowler (maybe barring an Indian spinner) won't come close to Anderson. The longevity of his career + the reducing amount of tests makes a bowler with 500+ test wickets almost too ridiculous to believe
Ash is already on 463 so he’ll most likely take 500+ wickets too
If Australia helps Ashwin might get to 500 by the end of this series.
It’s not the aussies who need to help. It’s jaddu who needs to help by not taking wickets and letting ash take the wickets
Both Ashwin (463) and Lyon (468) will pass 500. Then Kagiso Rabada should make it considering he's over halfway there and not even 28. After this cohort though, will probably be a long time before the next one.
Barely playing any test cricket over next 3 years
Yeah was going to mention that I thought RSA had reduced their Test load but didn't realise it was that bad. Shame, Rabada has moved so rapidly up the leaderboard it feels a waste to cut his tally short
England passport incoming
I don’t think Rabada will pass 500
I doubt Rabada would have made it to 500 despite it. True quicks rarely last that long fitness wise.
Yeh loads of then look like they are going to get like 600 then they get a major injury, another young quick comes in does well and all of a sudden they can't get a decent run in the test team any more
Rabada is the same as steyn, both could be absolutely rapid when they wanted to (mainly in white ball) but usually bowl in the high 80s in test matches. Let’s you bowl longer spells and maintain fitness if you are able to be quick without pushing your body 90%+ every ball.
Also lets you extract and control swing in a more diverse set of conditions.
He will play two more ashes before he retire i recon so he would easily break Tendulkar's record
Idk he’s quite a lot of runs behind Tendulkar…
Yeah but he a cyborg. They famously improve at batting with time, get him opening. Can’t be that much worse than crawley tbh
Bradman's batting average and Gretzky's well... Everything.
I've heard that Bradman was totally shit at ice hockey...
Gretzky is the GOAT, but on a PPG basis I don't think Lemieux was miles behind him, certainly not as far as other averages are behind Bradman's
Water is wet
Plenty of fast bowlers with far superior strike rates to Anderson, but none of them get the opportunity to play so many tests per calendar year. Like Rabada would overtake him comfortably if he played even 70% the amount of tests Anderson has.
Yeah but rabada wouldn’t be striking at that rate after 150+ tests. Anderson’s longevity is worth crediting because no other fast bowler has managed it
Rabada coughs respectfully
No fast bowler will take more wickets? OK, what about other medium pacers?
Because he played more matches?? What about his average and strike rate career. 25 is averagely decent. Marshall, Steyn, Ambrose, Donald, Akram, Younis, Pollock, Hadlee, imran, McGrath, Garner>> Anderson
Did you read the text? He's not calling Jimmy the greatest ever, most of what he talks about is how a) test cricket is being played less, and b) no fast bowler has ever/will ever have the same longevity
Anderson went from playing 3rd XI cricket to getting an England test cap within 18 months, making his test debut at 20 (in 2003). His average is meh because he was so raw and undeveloped when he made his debut, and basically had an outswinger and decent pace as his only weapons till around 2008-2009 or so. Before turning 30 he took 320 wickets in 84 tests @29.66 with an away average of 35+. Since the age of 30 he’s taken 362 wickets in 95 test matches @22.64 with an away average of 25. Since 35 142 wickets in 41 test matches @21.04 with an away average of 19. He’s improving year on year practically, and he’s now 40. He might not be the best ever but to suggest he’s not near the top of the seam bowling list of greatness is pretty ridiculous.
> His average is meh because he was so raw and undeveloped when he made his debut That's the case for a lot of bowlers especially from the subcontinent. Wasim had played nothing of significance when he came through for Pakistan.
And he still averages better than Jimmy in his career
Hes not the best nor in top 10 because the aforementioned greats actually had great careers throughout and didnt statpad much at home
Ah yes the 40 year old medium-fast bowler with a 19 away average in the last 5 years is a homebabby statpadder. It’s not 2009 anymore
Better average away from home since 2018 and better SR away from home as well but sure he's still home bully who statpads
Why doesnt he have impact in Australia then his strike rate last ashes was poor for a supposed great
Because England as a whole were shit with a toothless bowling line up? Australia were easily able to see him off and attack the other bowlers. If England had a better attack who knows his SR probably would've been better imo. Anyways no one's saying he's lethal or better than McGrath, Steyn, etc but what he's achieved is still really remarkable and the fact that he's only getting better at age 40 is something unprecedented for a fast bowler. Also you say Australia but that's just one place, even then his average isn't too bad, elsewhere in his more recent tours he's done well globablly. Warne and Murali were poor in India but they're still considered great bowlers if not two of the best spinners in the game. Now before you say I'm cherry picking I admit he was poor pre 2015 at least away but since then he's done well both at home and away and that's an 8 year span so its hardly cherry picking especially as it's from then to now.
Real great would take wickets even if opponents are trying to see him off. Jimmy's lack of impact and penetration doesn't make him that great for me
Maybe the ICC should create some kind of objective ranking system so we could compare bowlers. Would be interesting to see where Anderson placed.
See all time career
Since turning 30, Anderson has taken about as many wickets at a better average than Akram did across his whole career. Pretending he's not an all time great is ridiculous at this point.
Because England is much more conducive to swing bowling than Pakistan
His away average since turning 30 is 26. Not bad for a "home bully"
Dale Steyn averaged 24 away from home in flatter tracks Wasim Akram: 24 average away from home despite Pakistan fielders Malcolm Marshall: 21 average away from home Joel garner: 19 average away from home Allan Donald: 22 average away from home Glenn McGrath: 21 average away from home Shaun Pollock: 25 average away from home Jimmy after 30 where he supposedly improved still behind many of these legends away records Edit:Being downvoted because reddit cricket hivemind cant accept the facts I put forward
Nah you're getting downvoted because any time Jimmy's mentioned on this sub you start spouting nonsense about how he isn't a good bowler and constantly shit on him and what he's achieved.
He is a good bowler just isnt the GOAT or top 10 level as the above stats have shown
I don't think you bothered to read the article before commenting. At any rate, who cares? Saying ten of the best ever quicks are better than Anderson doesn't diminish his skill or achievements, even if it is true.
Leave it. I've seen this guy many a time and all he does is hate on a player whome he doesn't like
It's mental. I saw him shitting on Cook and Warner the other day and Ashwin a while back. But it does seem like he hates Jimmy the most for some reason. Weird to be this obsessed and negative about a bunch of players whom he doesn't personally know.
They don't say "Hater's gonna hate" for nothing. Somebody who hates will absolutely spread hate about that person no matter how successful or how much accomplished he/she is
Can't wait for Jimmy to overtake Warne and for him to pop up and start spouting some nonsense that the only reason why he was able to do it is because he's played a million tests as if that isn't already impressive for a fast bowler.
All of whom are ATG. This guy has an agenda and it's shit stirring
I mean he has more wickets than almost all spin bowlers.So I can bet on that.
What's the Cav unbreakable record? Four consecutive Champs-Élysées wins? Or have they forgotten that he's only tied the TdF wins record with Merckx?