"You've inspired generations…" Sachin Tendulkar pays rich tribute to retiring James Anderson
(Courtesy : Twitter)
James Anderson retired from cricket having played 188 tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is.
Sachin Tendulkar paid rich tribute to England pacer James Anderson, who retired from test cricket after playing his 188th and final match at Lord’s against West Indies on July 12, 2024.
Anderson, who made his test debut for England as a 20-year-old at the same venue in London, retired after picking four wickets in his final test. He ended his test career with 704 wickets to his name in 188 tests. He stands third in the all-time wicket-takers list in tests with Shane Warne (708) and Muthiah Muralitharan (800) ahead of him.
He also finished his career as England’s all-time highest test wicket-taker and the fast bowler with most wickets to his name.
Anderson had taken his 700th test wicket in the form of Kuldeep Yadav on tour of India earlier this year and while he had hoped to continue for England until the Ashes series next year, his career was ended for him. England director of cricket Rob Key, test coach Brendon McCullum, and captain Ben Stokes sat him down for a chat before England’s summer began and told him that his time was up.
“It has been a joy to watch you bowl”- Sachin Tendulkar wishes James Anderson all the best for life after cricket
Recently James Anderson called Sachin Tendulkar the best batter he has ever bowled to over many other great batters he has faced.
“The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar,” Anderson told Sky Sports in a fan Q&A.
Anderson has already expressed appreciation for Tendulkar. In a podcast with Dale Steyn during COVID-19, he talked a lot about what it was like to bowl to him.
“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. He was a key for India as well. If you get him out in India, the whole atmosphere, in the ground changes. He was such a big wicket.
You just try on bowling your best ball, top of off-stump, the whole time and hope he miss a straight one. In England, he might knick 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,” he added.
It seemed that the respect was mutual because as soon as England defeated West Indies at Lord’s, Sachin Tendulkar took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted a heartwarming message to his old foe with a photo of Anderson getting a guard of honor from both teams.
Tendulkar 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.”
For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket for IPL 2024 Live Score & IPL Points Table, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.
- NZ vs ENG: Ben Stokes to lead as England name 16-man squad for 3-match test tour of New Zealand
- Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024: Teams, schedule, squads, dates, timings, venues, live streaming details and all you need to know
- Top 10 teams with most individual centuries (100) in test cricket
- List of all Indian women's cricketers participating in Women's Big Bash League 2024-25
- Top 7 fastest centuries (100) in Ranji Trophy
- NZ vs ENG: Ben Stokes to lead as England name 16-man squad for 3-match test tour of New Zealand
- Hong Kong Cricket Sixes 2024: Teams, schedule, squads, dates, timings, venues, live streaming details and all you need to know
- Top 10 teams with most individual centuries (100) in test cricket
- List of all Indian women's cricketers participating in Women's Big Bash League 2024-25
- Top 7 fastest centuries (100) in Ranji Trophy