James Anderson declared greater than Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath as Ian Bishop puts England legend in a 'separate dimension'

James Anderson is all set to play his last Test match at Lord's against West Indies. It will mark the 188th and the final Test of his two-decade-long career.

Anderson's tally of 187 Test matches is the second-highest after Sachin Tendulkar's 200. No other cricket has played this many Test matches in the game of cricket. He has taken 700 Test wickets and will look to add to that tally in his final Test matches.

There has been plenty already written and spoken about the veteran pacer. Former England cricketers who were once teammates of Anderson and who have quit Test cricket have given their tribute to the bowler. Former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop has joined the bandwagon and has hailed Anderson's longevity as a Test cricket especially being a bowler.

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"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" said Ian Bishop on Sky Sports Cricket.

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Bishop further said that not playing every Test series for England has helped Anderson maintain his workload. The former West Indies pacer also hailed Anderson's ability to move the ball both ways and said that he is England's greatest bowler.

"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" added Bishop.

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.

Anderson in his own pre-match presser said that he trying to keep emotion out of the game by keeping his focus on taking wickets. However, Shamar Joseph in his pre-match presser has said that he has plans of spoiling Anderson's farewell Test match.

England and West Indies have both announced their playing XIs. England will give debut caps to Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson. West Indies, on the other hand, will bank on their skipper Kraigg Brathwaite to bat log for them. Shamar Joseph and Alzarri Joseph are the two bowlers who will be tasked with getting the wickets.

In his pre-match press conference, James Anderson spoke about the various facets of his career and said that he is looking forward to playing one last time for England and taking things from there on. He also spoke about the conversation he had with Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes on his retirement.

Also Read: West Indies playing XI for first Test against England at Lord's announced