James Anderson's 704 Test wickets an 'unreachable pinnacle' in cricket, claims Michael Atherton

Former England cricketers Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain talked about the incredible career of James Anderson in Tests for the national team. Michael Atherton was very confident that his record of 704 wickets would never get broken.

It was an end to an era in cricket as James Anderson played his final Test match for the England National Cricket Team. He ended his career at the home of cricket in Lord’s against the West Indies National Cricket Team.

James Anderson received a huge amount of support from the fans in his latest match and it was a special occasion for him as well. The pacer bowled his heart out in his final outing and helped his team win the game by a massive margin within three days.

James Anderson picked up three wickets in the match. He returned with one wicket in the first innings and then picked two scalps in the second innings. He bowled great lines and lengths and troubled the West Indies batter.

Michael Atherton while talking about James Anderson’s final Test talked about how big occasion it was for the pacer. He stated that a pacer bowling 40,000 deliveries in Tests and picking 704 wickets is something that will never be broken. Speaking on Sky Sports, he explained:

“Was a dismal Test, but a great occasion in funny ways. I mean, the test only lasted two and a half days or two days in a session or two days in an hour and was very one-sided, but the occasion was significant because it was Jimmy Anderson's farewell. So 188 tests, more than 40,000 deliveries in Test match cricket, and 704 wickets is the final tally, which will never be beaten, Ness.”

Nasser Hussain, who was also part of the discussion, agreed with Michael Atherton’s words and highlighted that it was a great occasion but also expressed his disappointment with the match getting over in three days. He stated:

“Yeah, I noted your words, actually, at the end there. You're very careful with your words and sometimes you say, will probably not be beaten or may never be beaten. You were very clear, this will never be beaten. And it's a reflection. It was a great occasion, the two and a bit days, but it was also a reflection of where Test match cricket is at the moment.”

I don't think you sometimes realise what you mean to the paying public and the England cricket supporters - Nasser Hussain on James Anderson

Nasser Hussain further highlighted the importance of the Test match for James Anderson, saying that he was very poignant. He also hailed the pacer for his last wicket of Joshua De Silva and stated:

“And I know we'll come on to that and having you at the end there, talk to Jimmy about what Test match cricket meant to him, I thought was very poignant. I think as far as England go, and as far as Jimmy goes, I don't think the two days and an hour could have gone any better. His last wicket, Joshua De Silva was an absolute jaffa, an absolute pearler.

“What a way to get your final wicket. Yeah, it could have, he could have taken the catch and it could have been the broad fairy tale ending. But, you know, I think what you got from that day or two days was what he would have got from it was what he meant. Sometimes when you're in the bubble and you're playing and you're focused on your game, I don't think you sometimes realise what you mean to the paying public and the England cricket supporters.”

In 188 games, James Anderson picked up 704 wickets and ended as the leading wicket-taker in terms of fast bowlers in Test cricket. Overall he ended his career as the third-highest wicket-taker in the Tests and also played the second-most number of games in the format.