Not Virat Kohli Or Brian Lara, James Anderson names best batsman he faced

James Anderson is all set to play his last Test at Lord's. The first of the three Test matches against West Indies will be the last for Anderson.

Ahead of the first Test, he is currently on 700 Test wickets from 187 Test matches. He is England's most-capped player and has the most Test wickets. He has also played the second-highest number of Test matches after Sachin Tendulkar's 200.

Interestingly, Anderson has picked Sachin as the best batsman he has ever bowled to ahead of the likes of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and David Warner. He has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar nine times in Test cricket. He has dismissed the little master thrice in ODI cricket as well. He has picked up 149 Test wickets against India in 39 Test matches, the most against any particular team.

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James Anderson's Q&A Session On Sky Sports

During a Q&A session on Sky Sports Cricket ahead of the start of his farewell Test at the Lord’s, Anderson said, “The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar."

While responding to the best bowler he ever faced he took names of Dale Steyn and Glenn McGrath.

“The best bowler I faced was probably Glenn McGrath or Dale Steyn. Hard to pick between the two. Slightly different bowlers, but both world-class," he said.

While naming his most memorable dismissal, he named that of Michael Clarke in the 2013 Ashes series. He also mentioned his 81-run knock against India at Trent Bridge as the best knock of his career.

“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.

Anderson has a few milestones to achieve in his final test match. He needs 13 more wickets to become the first fast bowler with 1000 international wickets. He is also just nine wickets away from overtaking Shane Warner's tally of 708 wickets to possibly finish as the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.

In his pre-match press conference, James Anderson spoke about focusing on the job at hand as he is not concentrating on a possible outburst of emotions later this week.

The West Indies cricket team understands the occasion but has plans to counter James Anderson. Shamar Joseph said that he is looking to spoil Anderson's farewell by bowling his team to victory.

“He is such an amazing player. Someone I have looked up to. Someone very good at this level. You could say he’s perfect because he has a lot of wickets at this level. I would want to ruin that farewell for him,” Joseph told reporters on Monday.

Meanwhile, West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite said that despite the pacer's legendary status his team has plans in place to counter him.

"Yes, he's obviously a legend of the game, very consistent in hitting the right line and lengths. Facing him in England is a good challenge, you really got to be on it and thus we have out plans and we need to play well and enjoy the series." the Windies Test skipper concluded.

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