James Anderson Profile by CricketArchive

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Player:

JM Anderson

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DateLine: 20th February 2007

 

He has to fight off increasing competition and a spate of injuries but that has not stopped James Anderson from staying in contention for a place in the England team. With the squad top heavy as far as the pace bowling department is concerned, Anderson has found himself in and out of the side. As if this is not enough he has been sidelined through injury time and again. It says something of his never say die spirit that he has fought back every time and delivered the goods. One reason why the selectors despite the plethora of seam bowlers have always wanted Anderson in the side is that he is genuinely quick. When on song he can produce unplayable deliveries repeatedly. Given his big break on the tour of Australia in 2002-03 Anderson impressed and was included in the World Cup squad. He had a match-winning spell of four for 29 against Pakistan. Given his Test cap against Zimbabwe in 2003 he was an instant success with a five-wicket haul. He maintained his growing reputation by taking a hat trick against Pakistan at the Oval “ the first by an English bowler in an ODI. But his fortunes took a sudden nosedive for although he went on winter tours he had no role at all to play. Out of action and out of the limelight Anderson was finally recalled against India at Mumbai in 2005-06 and with six wickets in the match played a leading role in the unexpected triumph that enabled England to square the series. However an injury ruled him out of the 2006 season.