Prodigious talent to record-breaking attack leader
James Anderson is set to play his 100th Test in Antigua. As he closes in on Ian Botham's England wicket-taking record, ESPNcricinfo looks back at his career
Alan Gardner
12-Apr-2015
Baby-faced assassin: James Anderson took a five-for in his first Test innings • Getty Images
May 2003
The 20-year-old James Anderson had already made an impact in one-day cricket when he received a Test debut against Zimbabwe. Showcasing his ability to swing the ball at pace, he picked up 5 for 73 at Lord's and then added another six wickets at Chester-le-Street to confirm his promise, albeit against weak opposition.
The 20-year-old James Anderson had already made an impact in one-day cricket when he received a Test debut against Zimbabwe. Showcasing his ability to swing the ball at pace, he picked up 5 for 73 at Lord's and then added another six wickets at Chester-le-Street to confirm his promise, albeit against weak opposition.
August-September 2003
Anderson's good form continued in the subsequent one-day series with Pakistan, as he took England's first limited-overs hat-trick. But the Test going was a lot tougher against South Africa and he finished the five-match series with 15 wickets at 39.86.
Anderson's good form continued in the subsequent one-day series with Pakistan, as he took England's first limited-overs hat-trick. But the Test going was a lot tougher against South Africa and he finished the five-match series with 15 wickets at 39.86.
July-August 2004
With England's 2005 Ashes attack - Matthew Hoggard, Steven Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff - beginning to come together, Anderson slipped down the pecking order. He took seven wickets in three Tests against West Indies in the summer of 2004 but generally had to settle for a place on the sidelines. It was during this period that England tried to tinker with his action - his release point, with his face looking at the ground, was identified as a potential source of back trouble - but the result was to limit his effectiveness.
With England's 2005 Ashes attack - Matthew Hoggard, Steven Harmison, Simon Jones and Andrew Flintoff - beginning to come together, Anderson slipped down the pecking order. He took seven wickets in three Tests against West Indies in the summer of 2004 but generally had to settle for a place on the sidelines. It was during this period that England tried to tinker with his action - his release point, with his face looking at the ground, was identified as a potential source of back trouble - but the result was to limit his effectiveness.
January 2006
Having only appeared in one Test in 2005, on the tour of South Africa, Anderson shone briefly in Mumbai at the start of 2006. Called up to India from an A tour in the West Indies as a replacement for the injured Jones (he took the same flight as Alastair Cook, who would debut in Nagpur), Anderson took six wickets in the third Test as England unexpectedly drew the series.
Having only appeared in one Test in 2005, on the tour of South Africa, Anderson shone briefly in Mumbai at the start of 2006. Called up to India from an A tour in the West Indies as a replacement for the injured Jones (he took the same flight as Alastair Cook, who would debut in Nagpur), Anderson took six wickets in the third Test as England unexpectedly drew the series.
May 2006
England had changed Anderson's action to try and prevent injury but a stress fracture of the lower back was diagnosed early on in the season. It would keep him out for six months.
England had changed Anderson's action to try and prevent injury but a stress fracture of the lower back was diagnosed early on in the season. It would keep him out for six months.
January 2007
Recalled for the 2006-07 Ashes, Anderson played in the first two Tests but could only manage two wickets at a cost of 303 runs. Dropped for Saj Mahmood, he then returned for the Sydney Test due to a Hoggard side strain and took 3 for 98 having been given the new ball. That couldn't prevent England being whitewashed 5-0.
Recalled for the 2006-07 Ashes, Anderson played in the first two Tests but could only manage two wickets at a cost of 303 runs. Dropped for Saj Mahmood, he then returned for the Sydney Test due to a Hoggard side strain and took 3 for 98 having been given the new ball. That couldn't prevent England being whitewashed 5-0.
July 2007
Anderson was not involved against West Indies at the start of the summer but another Hoggard injury brought him back into the XI to face India. At Lord's, in his 17th Test and four years since debut, he passed 50 Test wickets on the way to his best figures of 5 for 42 - only his third five-wicket haul.
Anderson was not involved against West Indies at the start of the summer but another Hoggard injury brought him back into the XI to face India. At Lord's, in his 17th Test and four years since debut, he passed 50 Test wickets on the way to his best figures of 5 for 42 - only his third five-wicket haul.
December 2007
Plays the first Test on England's tour of Sri Lanka but is subsequently dropped for Stuart Broad. At this stage, his record after 20 Tests is 62 wickets at 39.20.
Plays the first Test on England's tour of Sri Lanka but is subsequently dropped for Stuart Broad. At this stage, his record after 20 Tests is 62 wickets at 39.20.
March 2008
The Basin Reserve in Wellington. England are 1-0 down in the series. Peter Moores decides to drop the veterans Hoggard and Harmison in favour of Anderson and Broad. England win the second Test by 126 runs, with Anderson taking 7 for 130, and go on to claim the series 2-1.
The Basin Reserve in Wellington. England are 1-0 down in the series. Peter Moores decides to drop the veterans Hoggard and Harmison in favour of Anderson and Broad. England win the second Test by 126 runs, with Anderson taking 7 for 130, and go on to claim the series 2-1.
June 2008
Anderson had by now begun to rediscover the groove that marked him out as a 20-year-old, having gone back to his original idiosyncratic bowling action. In the home series against New Zealand, the tourists were blown away at Trent Bridge as Anderson claimed 7 for 43 - still his best figures in a Test innings - and nine in the match.
Anderson had by now begun to rediscover the groove that marked him out as a 20-year-old, having gone back to his original idiosyncratic bowling action. In the home series against New Zealand, the tourists were blown away at Trent Bridge as Anderson claimed 7 for 43 - still his best figures in a Test innings - and nine in the match.
August 2008
England win the fourth Test against South Africa - the first under Kevin Pietersen's captaincy - although the series is already gone. Anderson picks up five wickets, going past 100 in his 29th Test.
England win the fourth Test against South Africa - the first under Kevin Pietersen's captaincy - although the series is already gone. Anderson picks up five wickets, going past 100 in his 29th Test.
May 2009
Another nine-wicket haul, this time against West Indies at Chester-le-Street, sets Anderson up nicely for the 2009 Ashes.
Another nine-wicket haul, this time against West Indies at Chester-le-Street, sets Anderson up nicely for the 2009 Ashes.
July-August 2009
Although Anderson only collected 12 wickets, at 45.16, he did play an important hand in helping England regain the Ashes. At Cardiff, for the first Test, Anderson and Monty Panesar saw off 69 balls in their last-wicket partnership to deny Australia victory. He then took 4 for 55 at Lord's to help set up victory.
Although Anderson only collected 12 wickets, at 45.16, he did play an important hand in helping England regain the Ashes. At Cardiff, for the first Test, Anderson and Monty Panesar saw off 69 balls in their last-wicket partnership to deny Australia victory. He then took 4 for 55 at Lord's to help set up victory.
July-August 2010
Trent Bridge was the scene for another wrecking-ball display of swing. This time Pakistan were skewered as Anderson took his best match figures of 11 for 71 in his 49th Test - this included 6 for 17 in the second innings as Pakistan slumped to 80 all out.
Trent Bridge was the scene for another wrecking-ball display of swing. This time Pakistan were skewered as Anderson took his best match figures of 11 for 71 in his 49th Test - this included 6 for 17 in the second innings as Pakistan slumped to 80 all out.
December-January 2010-11
Anderson arrived in Australia as England's attack leader but with doubts about his ability to produced in such demanding, foreign conditions. He finished the series with his reputation further enhanced, bowling with skill and perseverance to pick up 24 wickets - the most by an England bowler over five Tests in Australia since Frank Tyson in 1954. He passed 200 Test wickets as England won 3-1 - their first success Down Under in 24 years - and held on to the urn.
Anderson arrived in Australia as England's attack leader but with doubts about his ability to produced in such demanding, foreign conditions. He finished the series with his reputation further enhanced, bowling with skill and perseverance to pick up 24 wickets - the most by an England bowler over five Tests in Australia since Frank Tyson in 1954. He passed 200 Test wickets as England won 3-1 - their first success Down Under in 24 years - and held on to the urn.
July-August 2011
Another leading role followed against India at home, with Anderson's 21 wickets only bettered by his new-ball partner Broad. England won the series 4-0 and ascended to the No. 1 Test ranking.
Another leading role followed against India at home, with Anderson's 21 wickets only bettered by his new-ball partner Broad. England won the series 4-0 and ascended to the No. 1 Test ranking.
December 2012
Although England's fortunes slipped the following year, whitewashed in the UAE and then beaten at home by South Africa to lose top spot in the rankings, they did secure an historic win in India over the winter. In stultifying conditions in Kolkata, Anderson took six wickets as England went 2-1 up in the series. Afterwards, MS Dhoni would call him the difference between the teams.
Although England's fortunes slipped the following year, whitewashed in the UAE and then beaten at home by South Africa to lose top spot in the rankings, they did secure an historic win in India over the winter. In stultifying conditions in Kolkata, Anderson took six wickets as England went 2-1 up in the series. Afterwards, MS Dhoni would call him the difference between the teams.
May 2013
After a surprisingly ineffective tour of New Zealand, Anderson is back to his best for the Lord's Test, picking up seven wickets, including his 300th.
After a surprisingly ineffective tour of New Zealand, Anderson is back to his best for the Lord's Test, picking up seven wickets, including his 300th.
July 2013
Anderson hauled his team over the line at Trent Bridge, his favourite ground, taking 10 for 158 to put England 1-0 up in the Ashes. He seemed drained by the exertion, however, and only averaged 41.08 for the rest of the series as England beat Australia for the third time in a row.
Anderson hauled his team over the line at Trent Bridge, his favourite ground, taking 10 for 158 to put England 1-0 up in the Ashes. He seemed drained by the exertion, however, and only averaged 41.08 for the rest of the series as England beat Australia for the third time in a row.
December 2013
Back-to-back series opened up cracks in England's hugely successful side. Anderson was creaking, too. In Perth, he was thrashed for 28 in an over by George Bailey, as if to highlight his waning powers, and he could only managed 14 wickets at 43.92 as England suffered another Ashes whitewashing.
Back-to-back series opened up cracks in England's hugely successful side. Anderson was creaking, too. In Perth, he was thrashed for 28 in an over by George Bailey, as if to highlight his waning powers, and he could only managed 14 wickets at 43.92 as England suffered another Ashes whitewashing.
June 2014
After Anderson's 4 for 25 could not quite secure a dramatic victory over Sri Lanka at Lord's, the tables were turned at Headingley. Anderson had survived 54 balls during a tense, final-wicket stand with Moeen Ali, as England sought a miraculous escape; but unlike Cardiff in 2009, Anderson could not quite make it to the end, caught off a bouncer from the penultimate ball of the match. At the presentations, he was reduced to tears.
After Anderson's 4 for 25 could not quite secure a dramatic victory over Sri Lanka at Lord's, the tables were turned at Headingley. Anderson had survived 54 balls during a tense, final-wicket stand with Moeen Ali, as England sought a miraculous escape; but unlike Cardiff in 2009, Anderson could not quite make it to the end, caught off a bouncer from the penultimate ball of the match. At the presentations, he was reduced to tears.
July-August 2014
An altercation with Ravindra Jadeja on the second day of the first Test with India threatened to overshadow the series. Anderson's sledging was the catalyst but, before the news emerged, it seemed as if a dull Test would most likely be remembered for two last-wicket stands - the second, setting a Test record, was between Joe Root and Anderson, who made 81, his maiden first-class fifty, in a partnership worth 198. With a disciplinary charge hanging over him, Anderson zipped the lip for the rest of the series and finished as the leading wicket-taker on either side (25 at 20.60) to inspire England to a 3-1 win. It left him with 380 Test wickets, three shy of Ian Botham's England record.
An altercation with Ravindra Jadeja on the second day of the first Test with India threatened to overshadow the series. Anderson's sledging was the catalyst but, before the news emerged, it seemed as if a dull Test would most likely be remembered for two last-wicket stands - the second, setting a Test record, was between Joe Root and Anderson, who made 81, his maiden first-class fifty, in a partnership worth 198. With a disciplinary charge hanging over him, Anderson zipped the lip for the rest of the series and finished as the leading wicket-taker on either side (25 at 20.60) to inspire England to a 3-1 win. It left him with 380 Test wickets, three shy of Ian Botham's England record.
Alan Gardner is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @alanroderick