James Anderson's 500 Test wicket haul confirms all time great status and there's plenty more left in the tank

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  • Kraigg Braithwaite was Anderson's 500th victim on Friday.

    James Anderson is simply a remarkable bowler.

    Reaching 500 Test wickets is no mean feat and he is truly one of the game’s greats.

    Over two years ago, in April 2015, I was one of the first journalists to interview Anderson in Antigua after he broke Sir Ian Botham’s Test-wicket record for England (383) in his 100th Test match.

    That, in itself, was an extraordinary accomplishment for the Burnley-born bowler and it doesn’t surprise me that he has gone on to reach his half-century haul of wickets since.

    Anderson’s professionalism and love for playing for England has underpinned his terrific skill with the ball – qualities few players have been able to match.

    I was fortunate during my time working with the England Cricket Team to watch Anderson at close-quarters in training and in match conditions, as well as get to know the man himself.

    It’s pure hard work, drive and a unique cricketing brain to work batsmen the world-over that has now truly elevated him into the position of a key wicket-taker in Test cricket history. He is a leader on the field and a likeable, down-to-earth and quiet guy away from the spotlight.

    HOW LONG CAN ANDERSON KEEP GOING?

    At the age of 35, this winter’s Ashes Test series in Australia – a country where he has struggled in the past, represents another great challenge. One of which he thrives on.

    Given the sheer volume of Test cricket England play – with the Three Lions averaging 14-15 Tests every year – Anderson won’t be short of opportunities to ply his trade in the whites. More cricket means more opportunities for wickets but physically that is a big ask to do again and again, year in, year out.

    Over the past couple of years he has been plagued by abdominal (side strain) and shoulder injuries, missing last winter’s series against Bangladesh and the final Test against India, as well as a match last year against Pakistan and before that his home Ashes campaign was cut short.

    Inevitably, having bowled over 4,600 overs in an England shirt – time is going to catch up with you. But he remains as fit as a fiddle, and with modern sports science techniques, he will be able to maintain his smooth and mechanical option at the crease that has reduced the pressure on his body.

    Indeed, expect many more overs to be bowled and more records to be broken.

    PACEMAN WON’T BE FUSSED OVER STATS

    Anderson’s record away from England is not a patch on what he has done at home, where inevitably seaming and swinging English pitches have aided the variety he has at his disposal.

    While his 329 wickets in England conditions have come under 25, in Australia (averaging 38:44), India (33.46), New Zealand (36.27), South Africa (39.92) and Sri Lanka (40.72) – his victims have proved harder to come by. Away from home, in total, his wickets come at 35.36 compared to 24.64 in environments he knows best.

    He has been ineffective at times on slow and placid wickets and it is perhaps considered a black mark against his overall record, but he won’t care one jot – particularly as he has delivered match-winning performances previously. Indeed, he admitted in a recent interview with Sky Sports that records don’t matter to him – but continuing to play for England as long as possible does.

    WHAT’S TO COME FOR JIMMY?

    The next goal for Anderson is to overtake Courtney Walsh (519) in fifth position in the all-time standings – a landmark which Anderson should hit during the upcoming Ashes.

    From there, the great Glenn McGrath who has 563 scalps, is in sight.

    While helping England to only a second Ashes victory Down Under in 30 years would be an ideal way to bow out – don’t expect Anderson to do that.

    For as long as he is leading the England attack, there’s no reason at all why he can’t keep bowling at the highest level for years to come.

    Let’s just enjoy watching arguably one of the finest players to have pulled on an England shirt.

    ANDERSON’S BROAD SHOULDERS FOR SUPPORT

    Anderson’s partnership with Stuart Broad has too been crucial in helping the Lancastrian to reach the 500-mark. It deserves a strong mention in this piece.

    The two have been partners in crime in the five-day format since 2008 – the fourth most potent partnership of all time behind Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath (1,271 wickets), Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas (1,155 wickets), Curtly Ambrose and Walsh (924).

    Relying on Broad’s contribution at the other end helped nail down Anderson’s position in the side and has given him the chance to back up what he is doing at the other end.

    England will no doubt be fearing the day when both of them put away the spikes for good.

    Englands Stuart Broad speaks to Englands James Anderson on the second day of the first Test match between England and South Africa at Lord's Cricket Ground in central London on July 7, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON (Photo credit should read IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)

    Deadly partnership: Broad and Anderson.

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