England’s legendary fast bowler Jimmy Anderson was denied a chance to surpass Shane Warne on the all-time Test wicket-taking leaderboard, sparking outrage among English cricket fans.
During his farewell match against the West Indies at Lord’s, Anderson took one wicket in the first innings and secured two more scalps in the second, bringing his career total to 703 wickets.
However, England debutant Gus Atkinson overshadowed Anderson’s efforts by taking seven wickets in the first innings, effectively quelling the veteran seamer’s hopes of catching Warne.
With the West Indies six wickets down at 6/79, it became mathematically impossible for Anderson to overtake Warne’s record of 708 Test wickets, much to the delight of Australian cricket fans.
Anderson entered the match needing eight wickets to equal Warne and nine to surpass him.
Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan holds the all-time record with 800 Test wickets, ahead of Warne, Anderson, Anil Kumble (619), and Stuart Broad (604).
Despite his unparalleled achievements, some disgruntled England fans believe Anderson should already be ahead of Warne.
Jimmy Anderson will go down in history as one of England’s greatest ever bowlers
However Anderson was not able to mow down Warnie’s Test record in his final match
One English fan pointed out that Warne’s six wickets in a Test against the World XI in 2005 unfairly kept him ahead of Anderson.
‘James Anderson goes past Shane Warne’s 702 Test wickets (against actual countries, not including nonsense World XI matches that should never have Test match status),’ the fan wrote on X.
However, another fan responded, ‘Didn’t he dismiss Lara, Kallis, Dravid, and Sehwag in that game? Perhaps we can celebrate both as legends in their own right.’
The 41-year-old Anderson has the most Test wickets by a fast bowler and is seemingly being pushed into retirement as England looks to the future.
Earlier this year, the England Cricket Board announced Anderson’s last appearance in England colors would be a farewell Test against the West Indies, the first in a three-Test series.
‘I still feel as fit as I ever have, like I’m bowling as well as I ever have. I still think I could do a job,’ Anderson said before his 188th Test match.
‘But at the same time, I understand that it has to end at some point. The fact is that it now is just something I’ve got to deal with and accept.’
England debutant Gus Atkinson stole the limelight with eight first innings wickets
Many argue that Anderson’s longevity and form warranted more opportunities, especially since he was so close to breaking Warne’s record.
One England supporter posted, ‘Just let him play the whole series you horrible bastards.’
Another added, ‘An all-time great England cricketer, Jimmy Anderson, is being punished for being a team player. Jimmy is still playing well and CAN overhaul Warne’s 708 wickets and become the second-highest wicket-taker ever. C’mon, England. Give him a deserved chance!’
Cricketing great Andrew Strauss has called for Anderson to be knighted, joining an exclusive group of cricket legends.
Ahead of the Lord’s Test, Strauss was asked whether the 41-year-old should be knighted.
He responded emphatically, ‘I think any fast bowler that plays 188 Test matches deserves a knighthood, I’ll put it that way.’
