Not a bad effort, but Anderson’s feat not all it seems...

By Adrian Seconi

England seamer James Anderson celebrates taking his 600th test wicket — that of Azhar Ali, of Pakistan — as umpire Michael Gough takes a closer look and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler appeals during day five of the third test at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton yesterday. The match ended in a draw, allowing England to claim the series 1-0. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES

England pace bowler James Anderson has become the first seamer to claim 600 test wickets and fourth overall to reach the milestone. But where does he rate in the

pantheon of great pace bowlers? Cricket writer Adrian Seconi attempts to find an answer.

Not the top XI ...

And not even close.

Just last month, Anderson was left out of the England squad for the second test against the West Indies.

The 38-year-old was being rested, apparently. Fair enough. He has played 156 tests.

I cannot imagine New Zealand’s Richard Hadlee and Australia’s Dennis Lillee being asked to take a game off. Can you?

Now they were greats. Anderson is arguably not there yet.

He has taken more wickets than both of them and his haul of 29 five-wicket bags is really exceptional.

At his best he is certainly in the conversation. He is skilful, prolific and has enjoyed tremendous longevity. And he knows how to use favourable conditions.

That said, there is at least five West Indians who would make Anderson look like second XI material.

Malcolm Marshall is at the top of that list. Fearsome. Fast. And in possession of a very awkward and accurate bouncer. He is the best of all time.

Michael Holding is another. He has fewer than half the wickets Anderson has claimed but he has the coolest nickname in world cricket — ‘‘Whispering Death’’.

Joel Garner, Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh complete the tight five.

They are all very different bowlers to Anderson. But ask yourself who would you rather face.

... and maybe not the England top XI

Anderson is no chance of making his way into any all time world team, but he is a chance of making the all time England team, right?

Assuming there are just three slots for the seamers, who would they go to?

Fred Trueman gets the new ball. The statistics tell the tale. He took 307 wickets at an average of 21.57 and at a strike rate of 49.4.

He was the first to 300 wickets and could have nabbed 400 had he behaved. But who needs a fast bowler who always behaves?

Frank Tyson blew hot during a brief international stint. Dubbed Typhoon Tyson, he took seven for 27 against Australia. Who does that?

He went on to claim 76 wickets at 18.56. Not bad at all.

Tyson only played 17 tests but Shane Bond only played 18 and no-one would leave him out of an all time New Zealand side.

Ian Botham gets the all-rounders spot, Sydney Barnes was more of a spinner and Harold Larwood dismissed Don Bradman five times but loses points for the hostile Bodyline tactics.

That leaves Anderson competing for the one remaining seaming spot with the likes of his bowling partner Stuart Broad, Bob Willis, Alec Bedser and Brian Statham.

Fine wine

Anderson’s record-breaking feats might not be enough to lift him into the very top tier of international pacemen. But here is a cracking statistic thanks to our friends at cricinfo. Anderson has taken 332 wickets since turning 30. And since 2014 he has taken 260 wickets at 21.71.

It is the best average among the 29 bowlers who have taken 100-plus wickets during the period.

If he keeps on improving at the same rate, he should get to 1000 wickets before his 50th birthday. Still won’t be better than Hadlee, though.