'Sense of immortality' - Ian Bishop lavishes praise on peerless James Anderson

Cricket witnessed a momentous and nostalgic occasion as James Anderson bid farewell at Lord's on July 12, 2024. The crowd showered him with applause and cheers every time he bowled or fielded. The day held apoignant moment during Anderson’s 15th over of the second innings when he missed a seemingly straightforward return catch of Gudakesh Motie, which came to him theatrically slow. However, it would be shortsighted to overlook the legacy-defining moments and profound impact Anderson has had on the game. This sentiment was eloquently captured by former West Indian maestro, Ian Bishop, in his authentic appraisal.

He refrained from discussing the usual aspects typically associated with Anderson, such as his longevity and fitness. Instead, Bishop credited Anderson's unprecedented achievement of becoming the leading wicket-taker amongst pacers in Test cricket history by a significant margin (704 wickets, surpassing the next closest pacer, Stuart Broad, by 100 wickets). Bishop emphasised Anderson's exceptional skill in consistently swinging and landing the ball on precise lengths, which he developed over two decades. He stated that Anderson redefined and expanded the parameters for pace bowlers, making his legacy immortal in cricket's well-greased mechanism. He also felt this sentiment was particularly poignant at Lord’s, the iconic venue where Anderson made his debut 21 years ago, marking a full circle of his career.

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"There are so many things we've already talked about like his longevity and his fitness. He's gone where no fast bowler has gone before in terms of wickets, but from a skill perspective, the ability to swing the ball and be consistent with his length, the art of evolving over 20 years...I think he's shifted the thinking in the game. He has shifted paradigms and dimensions for fast bowlers. There is a sense of immortality here for James Anderson," stated Bishop while speaking to Sky Sports.

Regardless of the wickets and the amount he's played, to Jimmy, it's always been...: Broad

Stuart Broad, another stalwart of English cricket and Anderson’s long-time bowling partner until his retirement in 2023, praised Anderson’s team-oriented spirit and selfless attitude. Broad expressed confidence that his dear friend would reflect with pride on the numerous victories he secured for his nation. Broad also highlighted that concluding his career with a win in his final match was a truly remarkable achievement.

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"Regardless of the wickets and the amount he's played, to Jimmy, it's always been about those moments in the changing room of winning a Test match with the group of people you're with. For him, looking back now as a former Test cricketer, the games he's won have been outstanding. To win his last Test match is incredible," added Broad.

Anderson concluded his Test career with 188 matches and 704 wickets, falling just five short of matching the illustrious Shane Warne.