India secured victory in the five-match Test series against England with a 4-1 scoreline. However, the highlight of the final Test at the HPCA in Dharamsala was legendary pacer James Anderson on the third day. Anderson achieved a significant milestone and claimed his 700th wicket in Test cricket.
This accomplishment makes him the third bowler after Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne to reach such a remarkable feat. Despite being 41 years old, Anderson is continuously delivering impressive performances for his team.
In an era where Test cricket contends with challenges from the T20 format, and many players opt out of red-ball matches, James Anderson chose to play red-ball cricket. Meanwhile, former Australian legendary bowler Glenn McGrath from Australia believes that Indian pacers could gain valuable insights from James Anderson’s skill and experience.
McGrath said that Jasprit Bumrah (30) and Mohammed Shami (33) have performed brilliantly for India in Test cricket. However, the former Aussie said that both the Indian pacers need to prioritize the maintenance of their bodies and overall fitness to ensure sustained longevity in their playing careers.
According to PTI, McGrath said, “We have to wait for the next generation of fast bowlers. Bumrah can play for many more years, but Shami is getting older. Mohammed Siraj has been around for a while. The current bowling attack still has some life left.”
McGrath also spoke about Shami, who has been sidelined from the squad since the 2023 ODI World Cup.
McGrath said, “It is tough for a fast bowler. Shami has got a lot of experience and has been around for a long time. He is an exceptional bowler. But with growing age, you will have to take care of your body and fitness, and you can learn from James Anderson, who completed 700 Test wickets at 41. You can still be at the top if you manage your body. Fast bowling is not easy as it can impact your body in the long run.”
