James Anderson reflects on his career 20 years since Test debut

England seasoned pacer James Anderson reflected on his 20-year stint in professional cricket since making his Test debut. Notably, the 40-year-old made his debut in the longest format on May 22, 2003, at the iconic Lord’s Ground during a match against Zimbabwe. Notably, the ground is widely regarded as the ‘Home of Cricket’.

Since his formative years, the veteran pacer has made massive strides in his career and has established himself as arguably one of the finest bowlers in modern cricket. Marking 20 years since his debut, Anderson reflected on his early days in Burnley, which helped him to attain the glory days in international cricket.

“In cricket, I’d have been trying to bowl like Darren Gough against the garage door. I was constantly trying to do impressions or emulate people. It was very hard cricket (at Burnley Cricket Club). In one of my first games, I bowled five wides in the first over and thought ‘This is never going to end’. I soon learned, at 15, that nerves are good. They brought the best out of me. That stood me in good stead,” Anderson told BBC Sport.

In his Test career, Anderson has featured in 179 matches and added 685 wickets to his account. In addition to this, he has 269 and 18 wickets each in 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is, respectively.

I feel fortunate and blessed with the career I’ve had: Anderson

The seasoned pacer further recalled that he had made a lasting impression for Lancashire’s second team against the Northants second string in May 2002, when he claimed an impressive spell of 8/54. He further added that he was lucky to have had the kind of career he has without being troubled by too many injuries.

“When I took eight wickets, Neil Fairbrother was playing for the Lancashire second team and recommended I was put in the first team. I got sent to the England Academy in Australia and, when all of the fast bowlers got injured, I was in the right place at the right time,” he added.

“I can’t believe I’m still doing what I’m doing. I feel fortunate and blessed to have had the career that I’ve had. I feel fortunate that I’ve not been blighted too much with injuries,” Anderson concluded.