James Anderson is cricket’s Benjamin Button

At an age where most pacers have retired and have hung up the boots for a considerable while, Jimmy Anderson has experienced the apex of his bowling performances.

In a Test career that now spans 20 years, the 40-year-old has had a career almost in reverse that comes across as though he’s been ageing backwards.

Ironically, the late great English bowler Bob Willis claimed at the beginning of Anderson’s career that he wouldn’t last more than five years because of his unusual action. Anderson keeps his head down when releasing the ball instead of looking up as is the norm for most players.

Willis claimed that this would curtail his career because of the strain it could create on his body.

The first five years of Anderson’s Test career were somewhat of a pained existence. In 23 Tests, he averaged 37.92. The majority of the Tests he played had come at home, where he featured in 14 Tests, taking 52 wickets at an average of 32.07.

Anderson’s debut actually began with a bang. Beginning his career at Lord’s against Zimbabwe on the 22nd of May

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