Sport

Happy Birthday James Anderson: The most successful fast bowler of this century

Gay activist, trendsetter, sledge-master... the most successful seamer of this era has got a lot to his credit  as he prepares to take on Virat Kohli's India at home.
With 540 wickets in 138 Tests James Anderson stands second on the list of bowlers since 2000. Here are few facts about England's 'Beckham of cricket' who has been his country's most-trusted new-ball attacker for over a decade now. (Photo | AP)
With 540 wickets in 138 Tests James Anderson stands second on the list of bowlers since 2000. Here are few facts about England's 'Beckham of cricket' who has been his country's most-trusted new-ball attacker for over a decade now. (Photo | AP)
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RECORDS GALORE: On 25 July 2016, during the second Test against Pakistan Old Trafford, he became the first fast bowler to take 50 wickets against all other 7 major Test playing nations, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. (Photo | AP)
RECORDS GALORE: On 25 July 2016, during the second Test against Pakistan Old Trafford, he became the first fast bowler to take 50 wickets against all other 7 major Test playing nations, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies. (Photo | AP)
Jimmy made his international debut at the age of 20 to get past Ian Botham’s tally of 383 Test wickets, before becoming the first English bowler to fetch 400 and 500 wickets in red-ball cricket. (Photo | AP)
Jimmy made his international debut at the age of 20 to get past Ian Botham’s tally of 383 Test wickets, before becoming the first English bowler to fetch 400 and 500 wickets in red-ball cricket. (Photo | AP)
Anderson's most prolific series was India's tour of England in 2014, taking 25 wickets at 20.60.Secured a place on the famous Lord's honours board on Test debut, taking 5-73 against Zimbabwe. (Photo | AP)
Anderson's most prolific series was India's tour of England in 2014, taking 25 wickets at 20.60.Secured a place on the famous Lord's honours board on Test debut, taking 5-73 against Zimbabwe. (Photo | AP)
In 2003 Anderson became the first Englishman to take a hat-trick in the ODI format when he dismissed Abdul Razzak, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami at The Oval to script a famous win. (Photo | AFP)
In 2003 Anderson became the first Englishman to take a hat-trick in the ODI format when he dismissed Abdul Razzak, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami at The Oval to script a famous win. (Photo | AFP)
LGBTQ CAMPAIGNER: Anderson was the first male cricketer in history to have posed posed naked for 'Attitude,' Britain’s largest-selling gay magazine in September 2010. He later explained his act was an effort to eradicate homophobia from the English society and is quoted by BBC as saying: “If there are any gay cricketers they should feel confident enough to come out because I don’t think there is any homophobia in cricket.” (Photo | Twitter)
LGBTQ CAMPAIGNER: Anderson was the first male cricketer in history to have posed posed naked for 'Attitude,' Britain’s largest-selling gay magazine in September 2010. He later explained his act was an effort to eradicate homophobia from the English society and is quoted by BBC as saying: “If there are any gay cricketers they should feel confident enough to come out because I don’t think there is any homophobia in cricket.” (Photo | Twitter)
AMBIDEXTROUS: Not often will one find an international player complaining of not being allowed to switch hands like their batting counterparts who are allowed to play switch-hits. And then there is Jimmy who can release brilliant deliveries using both his arms and have displayed his accuracy with his left-hand by dismissing former teammate Ian Bell in an exhibition match. (Photo | AP)
AMBIDEXTROUS: Not often will one find an international player complaining of not being allowed to switch hands like their batting counterparts who are allowed to play switch-hits. And then there is Jimmy who can release brilliant deliveries using both his arms and have displayed his accuracy with his left-hand by dismissing former teammate Ian Bell in an exhibition match. (Photo | AP)
SLEDGE MASTER : The 36-year-old had no issues to announce that cricket sledging has made him the guy that he is today. Episodes involving Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Micheal Clarke are only a few to name. Recoolecting the infamous scene with Watson at Gabba, he wrote in his autobiography wrote in his biography 'Jimmy: My Story': “Cookie (Cook), having latched on to what I was doing, later informed me it was the most pressured he had ever felt executing an underarm throw! He just had my right hand, arched like a claw, to aim at but thankfully I managed to see the ball coming out of the corner of my eye, and maintained my necessary degree of cool by refusing to turn my head.” (Photo | AP)
SLEDGE MASTER : The 36-year-old had no issues to announce that cricket sledging has made him the guy that he is today. Episodes involving Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson and Micheal Clarke are only a few to name. Recoolecting the infamous scene with Watson at Gabba, he wrote in his autobiography wrote in his biography 'Jimmy: My Story': “Cookie (Cook), having latched on to what I was doing, later informed me it was the most pressured he had ever felt executing an underarm throw! He just had my right hand, arched like a claw, to aim at but thankfully I managed to see the ball coming out of the corner of my eye, and maintained my necessary degree of cool by refusing to turn my head.” (Photo | AP)
TENDULKAR'S WORST NIGHTMARE: Anderson holds the record of having dismissed the Master Blaster for the most number of times in the longest format of the game. Sachin was sent back for a total 9 times when the duo clashed in 14 Tests. (Photo | AFP)
TENDULKAR'S WORST NIGHTMARE: Anderson holds the record of having dismissed the Master Blaster for the most number of times in the longest format of the game. Sachin was sent back for a total 9 times when the duo clashed in 14 Tests. (Photo | AFP)
IN BATTING RECORD BOOKS TOO: Not many know that he Anderson entered the game's batting record books when he shared an unbeaten 198-run record standfor the tenth wicket against India at Nottingham in 2014. Not satisfied? Well then know this too: He holds the world record for most 'not out' batting performances in Tests, achieving his 62nd Test 'not outs', passing Courtney Walsh. He has subsequently extended this record to 74. (Photo | AFP)
IN BATTING RECORD BOOKS TOO: Not many know that he Anderson entered the game's batting record books when he shared an unbeaten 198-run record standfor the tenth wicket against India at Nottingham in 2014. Not satisfied? Well then know this too: He holds the world record for most 'not out' batting performances in Tests, achieving his 62nd Test 'not outs', passing Courtney Walsh. He has subsequently extended this record to 74. (Photo | AFP)
COOKIE'S CHAMP: Though known for his grumpiness in the locker room, Anderson is really close to some of his teammates. His camaraderie with Alastair Cook and Grame Swann goes beyong the field to personal level. (Photo | AFP)
COOKIE'S CHAMP: Though known for his grumpiness in the locker room, Anderson is really close to some of his teammates. His camaraderie with Alastair Cook and Grame Swann goes beyong the field to personal level. (Photo | AFP)
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