Jimmy Anderson should be looking ahead to the next milestone, after passing 300 test match wickets last weekend, according to former Lancashire captain Neil Fairbrother.
The Burnley-born fast bowler, along with Stuart Broad, blew away New Zealand at Lord’s to give England a 170-run win in the first of two tests.
And Fairbrother, who played ten test matches and 75 ODIs for England, is convinced the Lancashire man can kick on and reach 400.
“It’s unbelievable – 300 test match wickets is a magnificent achievement,” he told MM.
“I remember seeing him for the first time in second team game in 2002 and I thought ‘this young man has the chance to be a special bowler’.
“He’s as fit now as he was ten years ago, if not fitter, and he has got a chance of getting to 400 test match wickets.
“His spell last Sunday at Lord’s – although Broad got all the wickets, Jimmy’s spell was as good as Stuart’s and the skills that the two of them showed with the ball were fantastic.”
Fairbrother was pleased to see England get an early win under their belts this summer, especially considering the contest had been close until the final day.
And he backs Anderson and co. to complete a 2-0 series win against New Zealand and come out on top in a close-fought Ashes in July and August.
“To try and get 250 in the fourth innings of a test match, on a wicket that was doing plenty, it was always going to be too many,” he added.
“But I didn’t realise it was going to be as emphatic as it was.
“I think we’ll overcome them again at Headingley, as long as there’s something in the wicket for us to work with because, at the end of the day, we’re better batsmen and batter bowlers.”
The Warrington-born batsman was speaking at the launch of this year’s Betfred Big Bash at Grappenhall Cricket Club.
On July 30 a host of England legends – including Andrew Flintoff, Mark Ramprakash and Dominic Cork – will take on their Australian counterparts in a charity Twenty20 fixture.
Fairbrother is looking forward to the day, especially playing alongside fellow Lancashire legend Flintoff, who will captain the England team.
“Freddie misses playing cricket and the day-to-day involvement,” he added. “It’s well-documented that he loves a beer and days like this.
“It’s just great to see old faces – I’m really looking forward to the day.
“Some people you don’t see for three, four, five years and then you’re in the changing room with them again and all the stories of past glories or in-glories come out quickly.”
A Warrington Wolves XI will also be on show at Grappenhall CC and tickets can be purchased from their club shop.
Image courtesy of Sky Sports, via YouTube, with thanks.
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