James Anderson on Sachin Tendulkar: ‘Best batter I faced…when he came, I would think I cannot bowl a bad ball’

As James Anderson draws curtains on an illustrious career, the England pacer has named the toughest batter he bowled to.

“The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar,” Anderson told Sky Sports, before elaborating on what made the former India captain daunting.

“I don’t remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar. Once he came on, I would just think that I cannot bowl a bad ball here, he was that kind of player. He was a key for India as well. If you get him out in India, the whole atmosphere, in the ground changes. He was such a big wicket,” Anderson said.

“You just try on bowling your best ball, top of off-stump, the whole time and hope he miss a straight one. In England, he might knick the odd one, but generally, I’d try and get him out LBW early. I had some success against him, but he had success against me as well. He got runs against us quite a lot,” he added.

Having played 39 Tests against India, off Anderson’s 701 wickets in the format, 149 have come against India. The 41-year-old dismissed Tendulkar nine times during his Test career.

The all-time leading wicket-taker for England in Tests and ODIs also revealed that his 81-run knock against India at the Trent Bridge is the career achievement he is most proud of.

“Career achievement I am most proud of his getting 81 at Trent Bridge against India. I know, I probably should pick a wicket or bowling performance, but getting 81 with the bat, I think, it is just something I still can’t believe I have done,” Anderson said.

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Anderson is playing his last Test for England and snapped a wicket on Wednesday to help restrict West Indies to 121.

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