"James Anderson's ability to stay fit puts him in a separate dimension"- Ian Bishop on Anderson's longevity ahead of farewell Test
Former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop hailed legendary England pacer James Anderson for the longevity of his Test career. Anderson is set to play his 188th and final Test match at Lord's against the West Indies beginning on July 10.
Bishop accepted that when the likes of Courtney Walsh and Glenn McGrath crossed the 100-Test mark, he felt that no fast bowler in the modern era would be able to achieve the feat. That Anderson played for so long was perhaps a testament to his fitness according to the well-known commentator.
Speaking on Sky Sports ahead of the first Test between England and West Indies, here's what Ian Bishop had to say about James Anderson:
"When Courtney Walsh went past 100 Test matches, I thought phenomenal. When Glenn McCgrath went past it, I thought that would never be reached. Just for sheer longevity of volume of Test matches, his (Anderson's) ability to stay fit is one of the things that put him in a separate dimension."
Bishop acknowledged that Anderson not being picked for every Test towards the backend of his career and England managing his workload certainly helped the veteran prolong his Test career.
James Anderson is England's greatest seamer: Ian Bishop
Ian Bishop shed light on James Anderson's ability to swing and seam the ball both ways coupled with the consistency with which he hits his lengths. Claiming that Anderson is England's greatest pacer, Bishop stated:
"His skill and his ability, something I am a great admirer of, guys who can actually seam and swing the ball both ways is a rare skill I find in the modern game. And to do it with the control of length certainly makes him England's greatest seamer."
Ian Bishop was wary of not terming Anderson as the greatest fast bowler to ever play the game because of his 700 Test wickets as he felt that numbers cannot be the only factor to judge greatness. However, he does not doubt that Anderson is among the pantheon of greats.