Former England cricketers Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain have spoken about James Anderson’s incredible Test career for the national team. Michael Atherton was very confident that his record of 704 wickets would never be broken.
It was the end of an era in cricket as James Anderson played his last Test match for the England national cricket team. He ended his career at the home of cricket, Lord’s, against the West Indies national cricket team.
James Anderson received a huge amount of support from the fans in his last game and it was a special occasion for him as well. The bowler gave his all in his last game and helped his team win the game by a huge margin in three days.
James Anderson took three wickets in the match. He returned with a wicket in the first innings and then took two scalps in the second innings. He bowled great lines and lengths and put the West Indies batsman in trouble.
Michael Atherton, speaking about James Anderson’s final Test, commented on how important it was for the player. He stated that a player who bowls 40,000 deliveries in Tests and takes 704 wickets is something that will never be broken. Speaking to Sky Sports, he explained:
“It was a depressing test, but a great occasion in some ways. I mean, the test only lasted two and a half days or two days in one session or two days in one hour and it was very one-sided, But the occasion was significant because it was Jimmy Anderson’s farewell. So 188 Tests, more than 40,000 deliveries in Test cricket matches and 704 wickets is the final tally. that will never be surpassed, Ness.”
Nasser Hussain, who also took part in the debate, echoed Michael Atherton’s remarks and said that it was a great occasion, but also expressed his disappointment that the match had been played over three days. He said:
“Yes, I took note of your words, in fact, at the end. You are very careful with your words and sometimes you say that we will probably not be beaten or maybe we will never be beaten. You were very clear, this will never be beaten. And it is a reflection. It was a great occasion, the two-odd days, but it was also a reflection of where Test cricket is at the moment.”
I don’t think you sometimes realise what you mean to the paying public and to the fans of English cricket – Nasser Hussain on James Anderson
Nasser Hussain further highlighted the importance of the Test match for James Anderson, saying that it was very moving. He also praised the player for his last wicket, Joshua De Silva, and stated:
“I know we’ll get to that and to have you there at the end, talking to Jimmy about what Test cricket meant to him, I thought that was very moving. I think as far as England is concerned, and as far as Jimmy is concerned, I don’t think the two days and an hour could have been better. His last wicket, Joshua De Silva, was a real jaffa, a real pearl.
“What a way to get your last wicket. Yeah, he could have done it, he could have caught the ball and it could have been a fairytale ending. But, you know, I think what you got out of that day or two days was what he would have got out of it, what he wanted to say. Sometimes when you’re in the bubble and you’re playing and you’re concentrating on your game, I don’t think you sometimes realise what you mean to the paying public and the supporters of English cricket.”
In 188 matches, James Anderson took 704 wickets and finished as the highest wicket-taker in terms of fast bowlers in Test cricket. Overall, he finished his career as the third-highest wicket-taker in Tests and also played the second-highest number of matches in the format.
