"He bowls five away-swingers, then one inswinger and takes a wicket," Wasim said about Anderson. PHOTO: AFP.
MANCHESTER: Pakistan's former cricketer Wasim Akram believes England's James Anderson is the best bowler currently operating in world cricket.
31-year-old Anderson has taken 13 wickets in the first two Ashes Tests to help England into a 2-0 lead over Australia ahead of the third Test at the Lancashire paceman's Old Trafford home ground starting Thursday.
Anderson, whose tally of 320 Test wickets places him third on England's all-time list behind Ian Botham and Bob Willis, is currently only equal fifth with Australia's Peter Siddle in the International Cricket Council's Test bowling rankings, which are led by South Africa quick Dale Steyn.
But Akram, arguably cricket's greatest left-arm fast bowler, who took 414 wickets in 104 Tests at a mean average of 23.62, was in no doubt of Anderson's standing amongst his peers.
"Jimmy Anderson is leading from the front. For me he is the best bowler of this era," Akram told BBC Sport on Wednesday. "He does it consistently, with the new ball and the old ball."
Akram and Pakistan team-mate Waqar Younis formed a highly effective fast bowling partnership in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their command of reverse swing often proving too much for even the world's best batsmen.
In Anderson, Akram said he recognised an equally skilled exponent.
"Jimmy is up there with me and Waqar because of the control he has," said Akram, who played for Lancashire between 1988 and 1998.
"He was always good with the new ball, but with the old ball he is intelligent," Akram explained.
"He bowls five away-swingers, then one inswinger and takes a wicket."
Although Anderson's career average of 29.66 is more expensive than Steyn's 22.65, Wasim said the Englishman had the edge.
And that was despite Steyn having 33 wickets in five Tests at just 12.56 apiece in 2013 compared to Anderson's haul for the calendar year, which currently stands at 32 in seven at 23.12
"I have seen Dale Steyn bowling with the old ball and he only bowls one delivery - the inswinger to the right-hander," added Akram. "Steyn is one of the best in the world as well, but Jimmy is slightly ahead because he does a lot more with the old ball."
COMMENTS (9)
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What is the actual benchmark for judging a bowler versus some other bowler.Now suppose if the bench mark is away performances then
Anderson averages 29 in India, 36 in Newzeland,38 in South Africa,36 in Australia 40 in Srilanka which are really high
Compare that to Steyn's He averages 28 in Australia ,31 in England 20 in India, 26 in Newzeland ,36 in Srilanka
Clearly Steyn is better bowler.
They say stats do not tell the true potential of a cricketer, but over a period of time STATS DO tell the story. Anderson’s Test bowling career average is 29.66 (a very high considering he plays most of his cricket in England/Australia/New Zealand/South Africa) is more expensive than Steyn’s 22.65.
P.S.:- All GREAT Test bowlers have bowling career averages <= 25 which is the benchmark!
Its Wasim's opinion but to me, Steyn makes sure in the early overs that opponents do not face the old ball.
Sorry Akram, but Anderson doesn't hold a candle to Steyn. While is dangerous in English conditions, Steyn would outbowl him outside of England.
Anderson doesn't have the pace to match Steyn. He has swing, but can't cut the ball sharply like Waqar or you.
Good bowler no doubt but very very very ordinary in the subcontinent region...I think same goes with all English bowlers.
jimmy is good in swinging and seaming conditions, but looks ordinary in subcontinent. Steyn is best at the moment with his pace and control.
Wasim!!!!
Jimmy, up there with you and waqar? Is it just to earn a few bucks via compliments or are you plain crazy?
The closest that can come to you.. and waqar's caliber is Muhammad Amir (contemporary). Before him, it was Shane Bond. A very destructive force. The gentle pace and loud mouth idiots of today will never be like you, waqar, ambrose, walsh etc.. unless dolph ziggler could be steve austin.
Can never be up there with wasim and waqar.. He transforms into just another medium pacer (like so many of indian pacers) in batting friendly conditions.. Had he been up there with W&W he would have taken wickets against Pakistan in UAE. Like W&W did so often ! Wasim was a great cricketer... but neither is he a commentator nor a good analyst !
It is Wasim's opinion, but I will take Steyn any day in my side over Anderson!!!