JAMES ANDERSON SPECIAL

Being James Anderson

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To be James Anderson is to be in constant conflict between pleasing the fans and finding the right balance to maintain form © Cricbuzz

Over 200 years ago, one of England's greatest poets Lord Alfred Tennyson, penned a poem that, perhaps, best sums up the career of a man born in an entirely different era and age. Thus goes the opening stanza -

Once in a golden hourI cast to earth a seed.Up there came a flower,The people said, a weed

To be James Michael Anderson is to be in constant conflict between pleasing the fans and finding the right balance to maintain form. To know James Michael Anderson is to alternate between despair and ecstasy. Why is it that (arguably) England's greatest fast bowler (ever) finds himself constantly oscillating between genuine praise and random criticism?

Twelve years ago when Anderson burst on the international scene, it was obvious he was destined for greatness. Having performed decently in the ICC World Cup, his maiden Test in the summer of 2003 was an occasion to remember. He became the 42nd Englishman to pick up a five-wicket haul on debut and initiated a chain of events that rapidly put him on a pedestal at 21. Whispers of 'a lanky lad on his way to greatness' were rife. The Burnley boy, who broke into the cricketing circle just a few years prior owing to a sudden growth spurt, was on a fast-track to securing a permanent place in the senior side.

Anderson, having being selected more on potential than performance initially, surged to the top in no time. However, what followed thereafter was a visible struggle to stay there. Frequent injuries and inconsistent form prevented him from being a part of the regular squad. His efforts to change his action to avoid injury had a detrimental effect on his tempo and affected his pace. The glimpses of brilliance were there but far too few and in between. 2006 was mostly spent in recuperating from a stress fracture, the first half of 2007 expectedly insignificant despite being included in the World Cup squad, the second half even more forgetful with no Ashes berth. It was not until 2008 that Anderson popped back onto the scene with a surprise call-up to the side for the New Zealand tour. Since the early to mid-2000s, Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard comprised the backbone of the English bowling attack. However, their dismal showing in the first Test in Hamilton with combined figures of 2/278, prompted the selectors to drop both the senior bowlers from the second Test. In a decision that came to be heralded as a new era in English cricket, 25-year old Anderson got a new lease. The then captain Michael Vaughan's words were going to be prophetic and in the not too distant future James Anderson was dutifully going to repay the faith shown in him by the management.

We have seen Jimmy for a while now, and he's got a hell of a lot of talent. He'll be looking to establish himself for the distant future, and that's the opportunity for all the players. We have seen Jimmy for a while now, and he's got a hell of a lot of talent. He'll be looking to establish himself for the distant future, and that's the opportunity for all the players.

- Michael Vaughan

Anderson announced himself with match figures of 7/130 in the second Test against New Zealand and in the home series against them later that year finished with a haul of 19 wickets. With a revised action, remodelled on his earlier one, Anderson strayed into the cricketing world once more, this time more determined and more mature than before. However, it wasn't until 2010, that the wily bloke finally found his mojo. From appearing nude on the cover of Britain's biggest-selling gay magazine to effortlessly picking up five-wicket hauls - he did it all. The Burnley Express was back and here to stay!

Anderson started out as an outswing bowler and initially worked on that aspect of his bowling more than anything else. He diligently set about developing control over his outswinger, fashioning himself into a modern-day version of Sir Ian Botham. But over time he was clever enough to understand that he needed to evolve himself as a bowler and began working on his inswinger. By now you know Jimmy can swing it both ways. A subtle flick of the wrist, a slight tap of the fingers, a poker-face expression to go with it - it is nearly impossible to sight the change in direction until it's too late. When conditions aid swing, facing Anderson is like finding yourself locked weaponless in a cage with a hungry lion. As a batsman you know you cannot recklessly drive while facing him. The outside edge, the inside edge - both are vulnerable. The best option is to tackle him when it is not swinging. But even then, with a bowler as shrewd as Anderson you know he is still going to come at you with all that he has got.

To me he is the most skilful fast bowler in the world. I know Dale Steyn is an outstanding bowler but when you watch Jimmy he has more skills in his locker. Steyn may be a little bit quicker but when you watched Jimmy deliver those skills it is mind blowing. To me he is the most skilful fast bowler in the world. I know Dale Steyn is an outstanding bowler but when you watch Jimmy he has more skills in his locker. Steyn may be a little bit quicker but when you watched Jimmy deliver those skills it is mind blowing.

- David Saker

In 2013 after a wonderful display against New Zealand at Lord's, England bowling coach David Saker described James Anderson as the most skilful bowler in the world, even more so than Steyn. Just over a year earlier, England Test captain Alastair Cook had made a similar statement putting James Anderson and Dale Steyn in the same class.

No disrespect to Dale Steyn in terms of actual skill, but the way that Jimmy can swing the ball both ways I don't think Dale does that quite as well as Jimmy, although Dale has the advantage of being able to bowl quicker. You would put both of them in the same class. No disrespect to Dale Steyn in terms of actual skill, but the way that Jimmy can swing the ball both ways I don't think Dale does that quite as well as Jimmy, although Dale has the advantage of being able to bowl quicker. You would put both of them in the same class.

- Alastair Cook

Both Saker and Cook's assertions elicited laughter from critics and fans alike. To say Anderson is as good as or even better than Steyn is blasphemous. In today's social media savvy age if you tweet anything even remotely close, rest assured, the retweets are going to be quoted by calling you a mug, throwing 'facts' on your face, eventually giving rise to a barrage of stat-based articles that will dissect every aspect of bowling - the pace, the average, the strike-rate, the last five-year numbers, the next five-year predictions, and the list goes on.

Steyn is a year younger than Anderson, packs more pace, averages nearly 32% better with a strike rate almost 40% more satisfactory, and his record in the sub-continent - exceptional. Anderson, who breached the 400-mark in Tests a few months before Steyn, is slightly ahead in terms of wickets taken but then, he has played nearly 30 more matches than the South African. Statistics will tell you how Steyn is better than any of his contemporaries, but the real question is - does that make Anderson's achievements any less remarkable?

Two of Pakistan's finest pacers and among the greatest the world has ever seen - Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were asked the infamous question (Who is better - Anderson or Steyn?) not long ago. Out came varying replies. While Sultan of Swing Akram endorsed Anderson over Steyn, the Burewala Express Younis sided with the South African.

I have seen Dale Steyn bowling with the old ball and he only bowls one delivery - the inswinger to the right-hander. Steyn is one of the best in the world as well, but Jimmy is slightly ahead because he does a lot more with the old ball. I have seen Dale Steyn bowling with the old ball and he only bowls one delivery - the inswinger to the right-hander. Steyn is one of the best in the world as well, but Jimmy is slightly ahead because he does a lot more with the old ball.

- Wasim Akram

Dale Steyn. I'll probably say, because I've worked with Steyn just recently in the IPL, I think he may be half a step ahead of Anderson. Anderson hasn't really proved himself to be the best in the sub-continent and Steyn has done really well in the sub-continent recently. Steyn for me, but no doubt, both of them are class, they're a different class. Dale Steyn. I'll probably say, because I've worked with Steyn just recently in the IPL, I think he may be half a step ahead of Anderson. Anderson hasn't really proved himself to be the best in the sub-continent and Steyn has done really well in the sub-continent recently. Steyn for me, but no doubt, both of them are class, they're a different class.

- Waqar Younis

To be lauded as the greatest by a man who was once considered as the God of swing is the highest honour and in Anderson, Akram recognizes a flair which he considers as Steyn's biggest drawback. While we commend geniuses, we often lack the sight to appreciate the efforts that go behind all the hardwork. Criticism around Steyn generally revolves around one point - his affinity towards the outswingers - a trait that Anderson himself was primarily associated with in his early years. What sets Anderson apart is the grind, the struggle and his eventual success in honing the inswinger with time. So yes, Steyn might edge ahead of Anderson on basis of phenomenal figures on the hard, flat and batsmen-friendly tracks of the subcontinent but Anderson's mastery over swing, his study of the nuances in bowling variations and all this minus any real speed (he is as much as five miles an hour slower than Steyn) puts him in a class of his own. Where Steyn relies on his inherent talent, Anderson succeeds on his commitment to improve, through sheer hardwork.

Even Justin Langer, who labelled Anderson as 'a bit of a pussy' during the 2009 Ashes series ultimately had to revise his opinion four years later, admitting that Anderson indeed was one of the world's best.

He is the best bowler around at the moment. He has been magnificent and I can't speak highly enough of him. He is the best bowler around at the moment. He has been magnificent and I can't speak highly enough of him.

- Justin Langer

One man possessing abundant natural gifts, while the other possessing the ability to push limits - can we hail one over the other without sounding unfair?

For us the ultimate measure of a man is determined on the basis of how he stacks up against his peers. Comparison is our medium of delivering opinions, a tool to quantify people in groups and anything falling short of the standard we set, not worthy of our time. For years we have done the same - comparing batsmen to batsmen, bowlers to bowlers, all-rounders to all-rounders, fielders to fielders - because to put something in perspective we require evaluation standards. Funnily enough the surge of emotions you feel every time you watch a terrific spell of bowling can't be put in numbers.

But even then how easy it is to justify the attraction one feels towards Steyn. Flaring nostrils, the belligerence etched on his face, the scream of pure delight as he comes roaring down the track, the vigorous pumping of the fist with veins bulging on his face and neck - watching Steyn is like watching an action-packed blockbuster in the throes of a climax. And then there is Mitchell Johnson - with 100 wickets less but double the aggression, with hostile bouncers in his arsenal, an Ashes rebirth that people will remember for generations to come, and (most importantly?) statistics in the last couple years that will put even the greatest to shame. Now you can mark Anderson on his ability to swing the ball both ways, for achieving deft consistency minus the raw pace, for his impeccable control over the wrist, for his efficient release, for his array of variations but in comparison the prim and proper, so akin to his formal English ways, Anderson, does not instil the same fear with his outward appearance. Sadly, his docile nature does not make him a marketable asset in the eyes of the public which is hungry for bold excitement.

Three days ago, James Michael Anderson turned 33 years old. On the same day, Dale Steyn picked up his 400th Test wicket, Mitchell Johnson got his 300th scalp while the Englishman hobbled off the field grimacing in pain, clutching his left side after prematurely aborting his run-up. Anderson will miss the fourth Ashes Test, perhaps not play in the fifth, continue to bowl for a maximum of another four years and will go down fighting for recognition not against his peers but against the fickle memories of fans and critics who will need statistical reasons to hail the hidden genius of a man who demanded to be compared to Steyn.

Alastair Cook has always lauded Anderson for his ability to swing the ball both ways ©Reuters

Where Dale Steyn relies on his inherent talent, Anderson succeeds on his commitment to improve, through sheer hardwork. ©Reuters

Anderson's docile nature does not make him a marketable asset in the eyes of the public which is hungry for bold excitement ©Reuters

© Cricbuzz

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