James Anderson Biography

A beautiful action combined with the ability to swing the ball both ways, James Anderson was equipped with everything needed to become a great fast bowler when he made his debut in 2002. Much to the delight of England cricket fans, he stood up to their expectations as he went onto become England’s greatest fast bowler of all time. 

England cricketer, James Anderson is the leading wicket-taker for England in both ODIs and Tests. On 11th September 2018, he surpassed Glenn Mcgrath’s tally of 563 wickets in Tests, to become the fast bowler with the most wickets in Test Cricket.  

He is currently the fourth-highest wicket-taker in Tests with 589 wickets to his name behind M Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble. 

EARLY YEARS AND DOMESTIC CRICKET: 

James Anderson made his first steps in first-class cricket for Lancashire in 2002. He finished his maiden season with 50 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 22.28. 

In the year 2003, he made headlines after becoming the youngest player to take a hat-trick for Lancashire. Impressive performance that season meant he made his Test debut just a week after taking the hat-trick. He recorded his maiden first-class ten-wicket haul against Worcestershire in 2004.  

He recorded his career-best figures of 11/109 in first-class cricket in the match against Sussex in 2009 England cricket season. Lancashire won that game by 8 wickets. 

In his overall domestic cricket career, Anderson played 250 matches in his first-class career, picking 964 wickets at an average of 24.95. 

INTERNATIONAL CRICKET CAREER: 

Having played only five first-class matches, James Anderson was included in England’s one-day side. He made his ODI debut at the age of 20 against Australia on 15th December 2002.

Impressive performances in his maiden year of international cricket meant he was included in England’s side for 2003 World Cup. He was widely appraised for his performance against Pakistan in a day-night encounter. He took 4 wickets in the game and helped his side win that game. 

In the year 2003, James Anderson made his Test cricket debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s. He took a five-wicket haul on Test and straightway set his intentions very clear. In the one-day series against Pakistan which followed thereafter, took a hat-trick at the Oval Cricket Ground. With that, he became the first English bowler to claim a hat-trick in one-day cricket. 

India-England series in 2007: 

James Anderson was selected as England’s lead bowler for the Test series against India in 2007. He claimed first 50th Test wicket in the first test after dismissing Mahendra Singh Dhoni. During that series, he also became the first England bowler to dismiss Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the same innings. England, though lost the Test series, however, James Anderson finished with great numbers. He picked 14 wickets in three Tests at an average of 22.57. 

In the ODI series which followed, Anderson claimed Gautam Gambhir’s wicket to complete 100 wickets in One-Day Internationals.  

2010-11 Ashes: 

James Anderson exhibited exemplary performances in 2010-11 Ashes, held in Australia. In the second Test, Anderson took 4 for 51 in the first innings. England won the Test by an innings and 71 runs. 

In the third Anderson accounted for 4 wickets. England, though, lost that game. 

Anderson once again stepped up in the fourth Test where recorded figures of 4 for 44, helping England win that game. He then took 4–66 and 3–61 as England won the fifth Test and series 3–1. 

Anderson, during that series, also became the youngest England bowler to claim 200 wickets in Test Cricket. 

2011 World Cup: 

James Anderson best performance in the 2011 World Cup came against South Africa. Defending a small total of 171, Anderson recorded figures of 2 for 16 in six overs. Overall, Anderson endured a disappointing run in the tournament as he couldn’t extract too much swing in the subcontinent pitches.  

2013 Champions Trophy: 

In the 2013 Champions Trophy, held in England, Anderson played a significant role in helping England reach the finals. England started on a great note as they registered a win over England, thanks to an outstanding spell of 3 for 30 by James Anderson. In the same match, he also became England’s leading wicket-taker in one-day internationals after taking his 235th wicket. 

In the semi-final match, Anderson took 2 for 14 as England beat South Africa to lock horns against India in the finals. In a rain-curtailed final against India, the match turned out to be a 20-over game. Anderson took 1 for 24 in his four overs, however, England lost the final by 5 runs. 

2015 World Cup: 

James Anderson did not get any wicket in the first game against Australia. The following match saw him finishing with figures of 0-37 against New Zealand. He finally took his first wicket of the tournament against Scotland and finished with 2 for 30 in that game. 

Anderson, once again, went wicketless against Sri Lanka. In a must-win encounter against Bangladesh, he took 2 for 45 but England lost that game which saw them exiting 2015 World Cup. James Anderson was severely criticized for his performance in the tournament and was dropped from England’s ODI side. 

2015 Ashes: 

The first Test between Australia and England saw Anderson claiming 3 for 43 in the first innings which helped England restrict Australia to 308. England won that game by 169 runs. He couldn’t do anything special in the following Test, failing to take a single wicket in that game. 

However, in the third Test, Anderson claimed a six-for. He took 6 for 47, helping England go 2-1 up in the series. However, injury in the third Test meant he was ruled out for the remainder of the series. 

 England won the 2015 Ashes 3-2. 

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS: 

· James Anderson has the most number of Test wickets taken by a pace bowler. (587 wickets)

· He is currently the 4th highest Test wicket-taker of all time.

· Anderson has taken 28 Test and 2 ODI five-wicket hauls including 3 Test ten-wicket hauls.

· He is the only seam bowler to take 300+ Test wickets on home soil.

· He holds the world record for “not out” batting performances in Test cricket, achieving his 62nd Test “not out” at Lord’s in 2017, passing the previous record of 61 set by Courtney Walsh. He has subsequently extended this record to 87.

· James Anderson is the first England player to take 500 Test wickets. 

· James Anderson holds the record for bowling most number of deliveries in Test Cricket. 

· In 2011, James Anderson was awarded the Freedom of Borough of Burnley.  

James Anderson Net Worth: 

Despite being 39 years old, James Anderson, currently, is earning a fortune through Cricket. His net worth is estimated to be between $1 Billion and $ 5 Billion.