Ian Chappell: ‘Difficult to replace Anderson’s great skills’

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell says England will miss James Anderson in Test cricket, highlighting the challenge of replacing his unique swinging skills. Anderson finished his 21-year Test career for England as the third-most successful bowler in the longest format, with 704 wickets at an average of 26.45 in 188 games.

The hosts defeated the West Indies by an innings and 114 runs at Lord’s earlier this week. Jimmy Anderson is widely regarded as the greatest swing bowler in history. There have been many other excellent swing bowlers, but none have plied their trade at the highest level for so long. Anderson had the unusual ability to hit the ball both ways with little change in his movement.

Other good bowlers would give the batsman a hint by moving their arm, but Anderson would cause swings in both directions without giving any early warning.

Ian Chappell praises Anderson’s performance

Anderson was the main cause of the chaos. With a stunning burst of 3/6 in eight overs in the first session of the first day, he had almost won the Test for his team. As it turned out, India were dismissed for 78 in the first innings and 278 in the second, losing by an innings and 76 runs. In the second innings, the right-handed bowler took one wicket, the important one of Ajinkya Rahane.

“It’s a great skill, and it made Anderson a really tough opponent. Anderson will be missed by England because his special skill is impossible to replace. What’s important is that Anderson’s career is now being appreciated, and he is seen as the best swing bowler the game has ever produced,” Ian Chappell said in his ESPNCricinfo article on Sunday.

Ian Chappell also praised Anderson for his hard work in maintaining his longevity and staying true to his tough lines and lengths in Test cricket. “His 21-year run at the top is a testament to his fitness, skill and ability to learn. “There was also his determination to keep playing when big life changes like getting married and having children could easily have trumped Test cricket as a priority,” Ian Chappell added.

Anderson’s patience is extremely rare

Chappell concluded by applauding Anderson for keeping his temper, “His subtle skills became more apparent as he continued to run with the same smooth rhythm and gave a searching delivery on a Test line.” He did this regardless of whether he was bowling to a right- or left-handed batter. Another quality that set him apart from many swing bowlers was his ability to adapt to whatever type of batter he faced.

Despite not getting any rewards for his heavy bowling stints, a factor Ian Chappell believes was crucial to the pacer’s success, Anderson has received numerous accolades, which not only highlight his immense bowling talent but also his grumpiness, changes in his hairstyle and his tenacity with the bat.

It is not surprising that he was sometimes grumpy, which resulted in the occasional rude remark. The patience of most people would be severely tested if they were to bowl constantly to beat the bat without any reward.

Anderson kept his composure on the emotional occasion. That led to his extraordinary success. “As his retirement approached, Anderson’s often hesitant statements indicated that he was determined to win. This was a major factor in his success,” said Ian Chappell.

Anderson has not yet decided on his future intentions, but he will remain with the club for the rest of the summer as a bowling mentor. “I plan on spending the rest of the summer with these guys.”