LONDON – James Anderson will not be caught once the England cricketerbecomes the most prolific fast bowler in Test history, says Australia scurrent record-holder Glenn McGrath.
Anderson has 557 wickets, just six fewer than the retired McGrath ahead ofthe fourth Test against India, which starts on Thursday.
McGrath, who played his last Test in 2007, expects Anderson to surpass hisrecord and that it will then stand the test of time.
“Jimmy Anderson deserves everything he gets, and even though he is anEnglishman I will be delighted for him when he goes past my record andbecomes the most prolific fast bowler in Test history,” he wrote inBritain s Daily Mail newspaper.
“I have an awful lot of respect for Jimmy. Good luck to him. I believe oncehe goes past me he will never be beaten.
“Records are nice and I ve been very proud to have taken more wickets thanany fast bowler in Test history, but any high is there to be beaten and Iwill be equally proud of Jimmy when he goes past me because the fastbowlers union has to stick together, whichever country we come from.”
Anderson, 36, made his Test debut in 2003 and has played 141 Tests forEngland.
Spin bowlers occupy the two three places on the overall list of Testwicket-takers — Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan took 800wickets, ahead of Australia s Shane Warne (708) and India s Anil Kumble(619).
McGrath is currently in fourth position. – APP/AFP