James Anderson Reflects on His Battles Against Sachin Tendulkar in Farewell Test Match

As England‘s fast bowling great James Anderson approaches the end of his illustrious cricketing career, he reflects on the memorable battles he had against Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar during his final Test match against West Indies at Lord’s.

With 188 Test appearances, Anderson stands as a towering figure in the realm of international cricket, having witnessed remarkable moments against formidable opponents. Even though Anderson sent Tendulkar back to the pavilion on nine occasions, he admits there was no specific game plan to tackle the master blaster.

Speaking to Sky Sports, Anderson revealed, «The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar. I don’t remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar. Once he came on, I would just think that I cannot bowl a bad ball here, he was that kind of player.»

Throughout his 21-year Test career, Anderson set a telling example for fast bowlers globally, recently crossing the monumental 700 Test wickets mark during England’s tour of India earlier this year.

James Anderson reminisces, «You just try on bowling your best ball, top of off-stump, the whole time and hope he misses a straight one. In England, he might nick the odd one, but generally, I’d try and get him out LBW early. I had some success against him, but he had success against me as well. He got runs against us quite a lot.»

Apart from his battles with Tendulkar, Anderson also noted his proud achievement of scoring 81 runs against India at Nottingham in July 2014. This remarkable display with the bat remains etched in Anderson’s memory, standing out amidst his numerous bowling milestones.

As Anderson bids adieu to international cricket, his partnership with former teammate Stuart Broad adds depth to the emotional farewell. Broad, reflecting on Anderson’s legacy, expressed that the veteran cricketer might have half an eye on surpassing Shane Warne’s monumental Test wicket tally of 708.

In his final Test against West Indies, Anderson will not only strive for personal milestones but also aim to contribute to England’s success in the ongoing series. The farewell match at Lord’s marks the end of an era for Anderson, leaving behind a legacy that will resonate in cricketing history.

The series against West Indies holds significance not only as Anderson’s final hurrah but also as a part of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle. Following the Lord’s Test, the series will progress to Trent Bridge in Nottingham and culminate at Edgbaston in Birmingham, adding a poignant touch to Anderson’s farewell saga.