Former England pacer James Anderson celebrates his 43rd birthday today, and fans around the world are paying tribute to one of cricket’s most iconic fast bowlers. Known globally as the King of Swing, Anderson has etched his name in the history books with a staggering 704 Test wickets in 188 matches and 993 wickets across all formats.
The legendary seamer played his final international match against the West Indies at Lord’s on July 10, 2024, bringing down the curtain on a glorious two-decade career. In recognition of his service to cricket, Anderson was knighted by former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on April 11, 2025.
A Career Full of Records and Milestones
James Anderson’s career is a treasure trove of milestones. He made an unforgettable debut against Zimbabwe in 2003, where he claimed a brilliant five-wicket haul. From there, he went on to dismantle batting line-ups across the world, becoming a nightmare for top-order batsmen with his late swing and impeccable control.
In 2010, Anderson produced his career-best match performance, bagging 11 wickets against Pakistan at Trent Bridge, showcasing his mastery of English conditions. Another golden year came in 2014, when he claimed 54 wickets across series against Sri Lanka, India, and the West Indies, further solidifying his dominance.
Against the strongest teams, Anderson consistently delivered. He picked up 15+ wickets against Australia, India, and South Africa 11 times, proving his mettle in high-pressure Test series.
Breaking Records and Creating History
Anderson became only the third fast bowler in history to reach 500 Test wickets, achieving the feat during a 2017 Test series against the West Indies, following legends Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh.
In 2018, he overtook McGrath to become the most successful fast bowler in Test history, claiming his 564th wicket against India. By the end of his career, Anderson stood as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, behind only Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.
In 2024, he crossed another massive landmark—700 Test wickets, becoming the fastest pacer and third overall to do so after Warne and Muralitharan, during a memorable series against India.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Anderson still holds the record as England’s highest wicket-taker in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), with 269 wickets to his name.
With the Bat and Beyond
James Anderson wasn’t just effective with the ball—he had his moments with the bat too. In 2014, he shared a record 198-run 10th wicket partnership with Joe Root against India at Trent Bridge, contributing a career-best 81 runs, a remarkable achievement for a lower-order batsman.
A Fitting Tribute: The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy
A year after his retirement, the England vs India Test series in 2025 has been renamed the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a fitting tribute that pairs him with one of the game’s greatest batters, Sachin Tendulkar. This renaming signifies the massive impact Anderson has had on world cricket, especially in the longest format of the game.