Moeen Ali labels James Anderson as a 'joke' ahead of pacer's farewell Test

James Anderson is all set to play the last Test match of his career at Lord's. The first Test against West Indies starting from July 10 is all set to be his last for England. He is on 700 Test wickets heading into this Test.

Against West Indies, he has taken 87 Test wickets in 22 Test matches. The next Test is going to be his 188th, the second most after Sachin Tendulkar's tally of 200 Test matches.

Ahead of the first Test against West Indies, James Anderson spoke about keeping his emotions in check. The England cricketer fraternity is all set to welcome the champion for one last time in Test cricket.

Former England cricketers have already written columns and spoken about the greatness of Anderson. Moeen Ali is the latest to join in with his latest column for The Guardian.

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James Anderson Once In A Generation Cricketer

He spoke about his admiration for Anderson and his great impact on Test cricket. In his column, he has termed James Anderson as a once-in-a-generation cricketer and the greatest seam bowler.

"There were times during my Test career, sitting in the dressing room reflecting on things quietly, when I almost could not believe how lucky I was to be in the same England team as Jimmy Anderson. He really is a once in a generation cricketer and, in my mind, the greatest seam bowler of all time," wrote Moeen.

Ali further spoke about how Anderson was already an established Test bowler when he made his Test debut in 2014. He recalled England's 2012 Test series win in India. Two years later, Moeen Ali himself took 19 wickets in the famous 2014 Test series against India.

"The crazy thing is, I made my Test debut in 2014 when Jimmy was 31. So he was already 11 years an international, just short of 100 caps. He had won the Ashes home and away, formed an all-time great partnership with Stuart Broad and been central to a historic series win in India two years earlier. In that match, against Sri Lanka at Lord’s, he took seven wickets to bring up 350 Test wickets and apparently that was only a job half done. What a ridiculous player. A joke, really," added Moeen Ali.

The England all-rounder has retired from Test cricket already but will witness another England legend passing into the sunset of his career and playing his final Test match. Anderson's longevity as a cricketer and his love for Test cricket has always been talked about.

In between, he has kept his action simple. There have been technical changes that he has done in his bowling action since the time he made his international debut back in 2003. He took just five wickets in his last Test series against India and will be itching to make an impact with the ball in his last Test.

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