The English cricketer James Anderson has taken retirement from the international cricket as the first test match of the 3-match series which England played against West Indies was the last test match of his career.
James ended his career as the third highest wicket taker in the longest format with 704 wickets after Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708 wickets) and he was certainly one of the best bowlers of all times.
After the match, James Anderson gave an interview in which he talked about his journey and various cricketers against whom he has played. When James Anderson was asked to name the best batter whom he has bowled to, he named Sachin Tendulkar, the former Indian cricketer whom he has dismissed 12 times (9 in test matches & 3 in ODIs).
He further talked about his battle against Sachin Tendulkar as he said that he doesn’t remember that he had any specific plan for Sachin Tendulkar but when Little Master used to come on crease, he (Jimmy) used to tell himself that he cannot bowl a bad ball to him because he was a very good player.
James Anderson added that Sachin Tendulkar was an important player for India and if he got out, the whole atmosphere in the ground used to change because he was a very big wicket. Sachin Tendulkar has scored a good amount of runs against England as he has smashed 2535 runs in 32 test matches at an avg. of 51.73 and it includes 7 centuries and 13 fifties.
James Anderson further said that he always tried to get Sachin Tendulkar LBW out early in the innings. He added that he had some success against Little Master but he has also scored good against them.
Sachin Tendulkar also took to X and wished James Anderson on his retirement, he wrote, “Hey Jimmy! You’ve bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell. Here’s a little wish as you bid goodbye. It has been a joy to watch you bowl – with that action, speed, accuracy, swing and fitness. You’ve inspired generations with your game. Wish you a wonderful life ahead with good health and happiness as you put those new shoes on for the most important spell of your life – the time with family.”
Here is the tweet made by the Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar:
https://x.com/sachin_rt/status/1811718749835374653
James Anderson represented England in 188 test matches, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is in which he took 704 wickets, 125 wickets and 1 wicket, respectively.
Happy Retirement, James Anderson!
