James Anderson can be perfectly described as someone who ‘aged like a fine wine’. In terms of economy rate, Anderson has conceded runs at just 2.20 RPO in 2021, his best year in an 18-year-old career. At 39, Anderson is still the best bowler in the England team and the leading wicket-taker for them even in 2021. There has always been a notion in the cricket community that Anderson is not effective when there are no clouds in the sky. In this piece, we look at his stats away from home, and his performances in 2021 away tours, and how the bowler keeps finding ways to improve.
In Sri Lanka
In terms of Anderson’s strike rate, after Australia (72), Sri Lanka (69) is the place where he has struggled the most. Anderson’s first tour on the island country was way back in 2003, where he did not manage to pick up a wicket. In the 2012 tour, Anderson managed nine wickets at an impressive average of 21.8 and a strike rate of 48.7. But those stats were again affected by the 2018 tour. Anderson produced magical numbers in 2021 – six wickets in just 31 overs. He did so, by keeping the line and length very tight and not giving away any room. His economy was below 1.5 runs per over as well.
In India
Before the 2021 tour of India, Anderson had an average of 33, which isn’t a bad return. The 2016 tour, where he averaged 53.5 and could manage only four wickets in five innings, was one thing against the all-time great bowler especially as he could not get the wicket of Virat Kohli after what happened in 2014.
The 2016 India tour for England, sandwiched between two series played in England, where Anderson was picking wickets for fun (49), was hanging like a question mark on his abilities. Come 2021, he picks up five wickets in the first match and plays a crucial role in England defeating India. One of the most eye-catching stat was his economy rate across 65 overs, 1.93. It shows the consistency Anderson maintained in all his overs.
Anderson, with age, has understood that in subcontinental conditions, he had to get more economical, which is visible in the dot ball percentage. Both Sri Lanka and India tours had an increase of 10% in dot balls from the previous tours. Among bowlers with more than 35 wickets after 2000 in India and Sri Lanka, Anderson has the best economy rate (2.73) and has bowled the most maiden overs (151). The next highest for a pacer is 89 by Jason Gillespie. Anderson is England’s go-to bowler even in these conditions to stop the flow of runs and build pressure from one end.
Anderson has picked up wickets in Australia, though has a high strike, except in the 2010 series. After missing the first Test, Anderson would want to contribute and improve his strike rate as this could be his last tour Down Under. Since 2000, Anderson is the leading wicket-taker on away soil as a pacer. Dale Steyn has an excellent strike rate and average, but injuries shortened his career. Anderson has been one of the fittest cricketers and still produces wickets when he bowls.
Conclusion
Conditions of the venue affect how cricket is played. Mostly the bowlers are changed depending on the team balance and the skill a player brings in. For example, Ravichandran Ashwin, one of the greatest bowlers in Test cricket in the last decade, could not find a place in the playing XI in four consecutive Test matches in England.
England did the same with Anderson, resting him for the first match in a long Test series. These calls have a lot to do with the tactical side of the game. However, the player has been in top form this year and is the pacer with most wickets in away games for England.