England all-rounder Moeen Ali spoke about the career of veteran pacer James Anderson ahead of his final Test match for the team. He said that no one in the team enjoys representing the national team in the longest format of the game as much as the pacer.

England fast bowler James Anderson has undoubtedly been the best bowler to have played in Test cricket. The fast bowler has been one of the main reasons behind the success of the Test team; the longevity that he has shown is something that no one can achieve.

James Anderson has not only witnessed the growth of the England Test team but has also played a major role in shaping the team. He is the most successful player in the history of the longest format of the game and even at 40, he runs like a youngster.

However, James Anderson’s longevity is about to end. The player is set to retire from Test cricket after the first match against West Indies on July 10. The player will bid farewell to the Test team as a player at the home of cricket at Lord’s Cricket Ground.

Moeen Ali, who has played a fair amount of cricket with James Anderson, spoke about the fast bowler’s career and stressed how much he hates losing the match. He recalled how the fast bowler cried when the team lost the match. In a column for the Guardian, he explained:

“That grumpiness – and shyness at times – has always been deceptive. I don’t know anyone who loves playing cricket and representing England as much as Jimmy. The same goes for guys who hate losing. I got a taste of this in my second Test match at Headingley when, trailing by nine and after an hour and a half of the two of us battling to save the series, he got out with two balls to spare.

“There I was, two Test matches into my England career, watching a lad who had already experienced and achieved so much cry at the other end. I was heartbroken for him, more than for myself or the team, because he had worked so hard and played so well. Test cricket is pretty unforgiving and people forget what it means for the lads at the bottom, who do what they are not paid to do.”

There can be no other Jimmy – Moeen Ali

Moeen Ali spoke about James Anderson’s combative nature and stated that this week is all about celebrating the player’s achievement with the ball. He made a bold statement by saying that no one can take his place. He explained:

“Although Broady was probably the better batsman of the two, I would say Jimmy was arguably the braver in terms of lining up and getting into the game. This week at Lord’s is about celebrating his huge achievements with the ball.

“There will be new players, but there’s no point in talking about who will take Jimmy’s place because he never will. Quite simply, with 700 Test wickets and one match to play, there can’t be another Jimmy, especially with the way the sport is developing.”

James Anderson has 700 wickets to his name in 187 matches he has played for England. He is just 9 wickets away from Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets and becomes the second highest wicket-taker in the longest format of the game.