The former English Cricketer Stuart Broad has hailed Jimmy (James Anderson) as “an addict of the art of bowling” ahead of the home tour against West Indies starting on July 10.
Stuart Broad praises James Anderson
The 42-year-old James Anderson is set to play in the West Indies tour of England in 2024 before ending his international career. England will host the West Indies in the three-match test series this month.
Anderson has picked 700 wickets in 187 tests both records among quick bowlers. Broad played alongside a veteran fast bowler for 138 matches before retiring from Test cricket after last year’s Ashes has praised Anderson for his dedication and love for bowling.
“He loves the rhythm of running into the bowl, the control of the technique of his action, the tactical side of whether he’s bowling away swing, inswing, wobble seam,” said Broad.
“When you talk about professionals who have had longevity, you often talk about their dedication to training, their discipline in the gym, and their diet.”
“And of course, you don’t play to 42 unless you have that but the thing that makes him different is his genuine love of the art of what he does. Addict is generally used as a negative word but I’d say he is an addict of the art of bowling,” added Broad.
Anderson’s bowling was dependent on his ability as an outstanding conventional swing bowler exceptionally in home conditions, but Broad said ignoring this skill has deployed in the reverse swing.
“He doesn’t get enough credit for his reverse swing, which has been crucial to his great record in the subcontinent,” Broad wrote. “Because his line and length are so immaculate it makes it lethal.
“(South Africa fast bowler) Dale Steyn was phenomenal and quicker than Jimmy but Jimmy is certainly the best reverse-swing bowler I’ve played with and probably the best I’ve witnessed in the flesh outside of Steyn.
Recently, he picked up a seven-wicket haul for Lancashire for 35 runs during the match against Nottinghamshire in County Championship 2024.
“(His) ability to adapt and learn is why he has been so successful for so long. In professional sports, you have to be continually improving because there is always a younger bowler trying to get your shirt.
“It is that genuine love for the art of bowling that has made him want to improve and learn new deliveries. It’s why he will go out at Lord’s this week as England’s greatest-ever bowler.”
Coming to the tour, the first test match against West Indies is set to be played between July 10-14 at Lord’s.
