Just seven wickets shy of becoming the most successful fast bowler in the history of Test cricket James Anderson received lavish praise from former Australian great Glenn McGrath.
McGrath finished his career with 563 wickets in 124 Tests and has held the record for most wickets taken by a paceman since 2005 when he went past Courtney Walsh’s tally of 519. Anderson, who currently sits on 557 wickets could well eclipse McGrath’s record during the ongoing home series against India.
“Records are nice and I’ve been very proud to have taken more wickets than any fast bowler in Test history, but any high is there to be beaten and I will be equally proud of Jimmy when he goes past me because the fast bowlers’ union has to stick together, whichever country we come from,” McGrath wrote in a column for Daily Mail.
“It is only a matter of time now before he gets there and I will be getting in touch with him as soon as he does to say well done. I have an awful lot of respect for Jimmy. Good luck to him. I believe once he goes past me he will never be beaten.”
“I’ve always said Jimmy was class, ever since I played against him in what became my last Test series in 2006-07. I noted how he swung the ball both ways conventionally, because it’s a real art form,” said McGrath.
“Once Jimmy goes past me it will be interesting to see where he wants to set the bar. With the nature of the game these days, and the amount of Twenty20 cricket, I believe no fast bowler will ever go past him.”
