<p>Cricket has had its heroes, mostly batters, some all-rounders and a handful of bowlers, to be precise. The game, whose origin is unknown to most avid fans, is like a religion in a few countries, and England happens to be one. From W.G Grace to Jim Laker, from the legendary Ian Botham to dashing David Gower – many inspired generations, but imagine starting to follow the game because of a seamer a world now calls perhaps the greatest, and he’s none other than veteran James Anderson.</p>

<p>The right-arm fast bowler from Lancashire, is close to picking 700 Test wickets – an achievement none other than spinners could dream of. And the best part is Anderson, aged 40, is not done with it yet.</p>

<p>A master of a craft - swing bowling, which barely anyone possesses now – James is not just a regular up-front seamer, but rather the one even the best batsmen feared to face on their good day.</p>

<p>From picking his first Test wicket against Zimbabwe in 2002 to troubling today’s greats – Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, Anderson remains on the top of his game even two decades later. Having an almost perfect bowling action for an outswing bowler, closer to that of Australia’s Damien Fleming, Anderson hunts his wickets at will, with all that he has in his arsenal – an inswinger, a late cutter, a fuller unplayable delivery and, of course, with the older ball too.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ashes-2023-ricky-ponting-raises-concerns-for-australia-in-spin-department-says-i-was-surprised-617785">Ashes 2023: Ricky Ponting raises concerns for Australia in key department, says 'I was surprised...'</a></p>

<p>Don’t believe it? Ask either Shubman Gill or Ajinkya Rahane, as both got clean bowled off two of the best reverse-swinging deliveries witnessed in the recent past. While the one from Dale Steyn to Brad Haddin in Port Elizabeth stands tall at the number one spot, these two from Anderson are up there too.</p>

<p>A genius nonetheless, Anderson got better like a fine wine. For a fast bowler, who is expected to touch his prime from mid-20s to early 30s, Anderson defied the odds like a boss and has numbers to press his case to be labelled the best. A Test specialist now, Anderson, since turning 30, played over 110 Tests, and picked&nbsp;nearly 425 wickets at an astonishing average of just around 21.</p>

<p>Now think of any other bowler, let alone a fast bowler, to get closer to these numbers considering the age parameter. As per records, four spinners – Rangana Herath (398 wickets at 27.52), Muttiah Muralitharan (388 wickets at 22.02), the great Shane Warne (386 wickets at 25.36) and Indian veteran Anil Kumble (343 wickets at 30.98) are the ones to fall in the same bracket as that of Anderson.</p>

<h2>A thorn in batter’s flesh</h2>

<p>From former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to the Indian stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Anderson has gotten everyone’s number. Tendulkar was one of his favourite wickets – having got out to him nine times across several meetings. Test giant Rahane (8) and Kohli (7) aren’t behind either.</p>

<p>His most dismissed batter, however, is another Indian – Cheteshwar Pujara, whom Anderson has picked a record 12 times in Tests. Australia bowler Peter Siddle is second (11 times), and Warner (10*) is third on the list, while Pakistan’s Azhar Ali, Michael Clarke and Kane Williamson – all have got him out nine times across formats.</p>

<p>Be it with a red cherry in hand or a white or even pink ball, the English veteran has achieved greatness everywhere. From becoming the first bowler from England to pick an ODI hat-trick in 2003 against Pakistan at the Oval to going down in history as England’s oldest seamer to bag a five-wicket haul at the Adelaide Oval (Day &amp; Night Test) in 2017, Anderson probably achieved it all.</p>

<h2>A pair made in heaven&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Imagine finding an almost-equally good bowling partner for a series; now imagine finding one for 17 years and on – that’s a story of Anderson and Stuart Broad. Having played around 140 Tests together, Broad and Anderson have over 1000 Test wickets between them, and with how both are going about their businesses in the ongoing Ashes 2023, the tally will only increase.</p>

<p>While Anderson, as mentioned above, is nearing 700 Test wickets, his partner in crime - Broad, completed his record 600th Test wicket during the fourth Test in Manchester – becoming the second fast bowler, ironically after Anderson, to achieve this milestone.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/honours-even-in-fourth-ashes-test-as-broad-joins-600-club-617636">Honours even in fourth Ashes Test as Broad joins 600 club</a></p>

<h2>A legacy that will live forever&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p>The day is probably not far when Anderson will hang his boots from international cricket, putting curtains down on a stellar two-decade-plus cricket career. And if and when that happens, James Anderson will most definitely go down in all of cricket’s history as one of the greatest ever to grace the game, if not the best.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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Cricket has had its heroes, mostly batters, some all-rounders and a handful of bowlers, to be precise. The game, whose origin is unknown to most avid fans, is like a religion in a few countries, and England happens to be one.

Cricket has had its heroes, mostly batters, some all-rounders and a handful of bowlers, to be precise. The game, whose origin is unknown to most avid fans, is like a religion in a few countries, and England happens to be one. From W.G Grace to Jim Laker, from the legendary Ian Botham to dashing David Gower – many inspired generations, but imagine starting to follow the game because of a seamer a world now calls perhaps the greatest, and he’s none other than veteran James Anderson. The right-arm fast bowler from Lancashire, is close to picking 700 Test wickets – an achievement none other than spinners could dream of. And the best part is Anderson, aged 40, is not done with it yet. A master of a craft - swing bowling, which barely anyone possesses now – James is not just a regular up-front seamer, but rather the one even the best batsmen feared to face on their good day. From picking his first Test wicket against Zimbabwe in 2002 to troubling today’s greats – Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson, Anderson remains on the top of his game even two decades later. Having an almost perfect bowling action for an outswing bowler, closer to that of Australia’s Damien Fleming, Anderson hunts his wickets at will, with all that he has in his arsenal – an inswinger, a late cutter, a fuller unplayable delivery and, of course, with the older ball too. ALSO READ: Ashes 2023: Ricky Ponting raises concerns for Australia in key department, says 'I was surprised...' Don’t believe it? Ask either Shubman Gill or Ajinkya Rahane, as both got clean bowled off two of the best reverse-swinging deliveries witnessed in the recent past. While the one from Dale Steyn to Brad Haddin in Port Elizabeth stands tall at the number one spot, these two from Anderson are up there too. A genius nonetheless, Anderson got better like a fine wine. For a fast bowler, who is expected to touch his prime from mid-20s to early 30s, Anderson defied the odds like a boss and has numbers to press his case to be labelled the best. A Test specialist now, Anderson, since turning 30, played over 110 Tests, and picked nearly 425 wickets at an astonishing average of just around 21. Now think of any other bowler, let alone a fast bowler, to get closer to these numbers considering the age parameter. As per records, four spinners – Rangana Herath (398 wickets at 27.52), Muttiah Muralitharan (388 wickets at 22.02), the great Shane Warne (386 wickets at 25.36) and Indian veteran Anil Kumble (343 wickets at 30.98) are the ones to fall in the same bracket as that of Anderson. A thorn in batter’s flesh From former Australia captain Ricky Ponting to the Indian stalwarts Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, Anderson has gotten everyone’s number. Tendulkar was one of his favourite wickets – having got out to him nine times across several meetings. Test giant Rahane (8) and Kohli (7) aren’t behind either. His most dismissed batter, however, is another Indian – Cheteshwar Pujara, whom Anderson has picked a record 12 times in Tests. Australia bowler Peter Siddle is second (11 times), and Warner (10*) is third on the list, while Pakistan’s Azhar Ali, Michael Clarke and Kane Williamson – all have got him out nine times across formats. Be it with a red cherry in hand or a white or even pink ball, the English veteran has achieved greatness everywhere. From becoming the first bowler from England to pick an ODI hat-trick in 2003 against Pakistan at the Oval to going down in history as England’s oldest seamer to bag a five-wicket haul at the Adelaide Oval (Day & Night Test) in 2017, Anderson probably achieved it all. A pair made in heaven Imagine finding an almost-equally good bowling partner for a series; now imagine finding one for 17 years and on – that’s a story of Anderson and Stuart Broad. Having played around 140 Tests together, Broad and Anderson have over 1000 Test wickets between them, and with how both are going about their businesses in the ongoing Ashes 2023, the tally will only increase. While Anderson, as mentioned above, is nearing 700 Test wickets, his partner in crime - Broad, completed his record 600th Test wicket during the fourth Test in Manchester – becoming the second fast bowler, ironically after Anderson, to achieve this milestone. ALSO READ: Honours even in fourth Ashes Test as Broad joins 600 club A legacy that will live forever The day is probably not far when Anderson will hang his boots from international cricket, putting curtains down on a stellar two-decade-plus cricket career. And if and when that happens, James Anderson will most definitely go down in all of cricket’s history as one of the greatest ever to grace the game, if not the best. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Why James Anderson is embodiment of perfection for bowlers in a batters' world`

<p>The International Cricket Council on Wednesday released the Men`s Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023-27, confirming the international calendar for all Full Members across all three formats of the game. In total, there will be 777 international matches - 173 Tests, 281 ODIs and 323 T20Is - in the 2023-2027 FTP cycle compared to the 694 in the current one.</p>

<p>India will be playing 27 ODI matches before the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Meanwhile, Men in Blue will play 5 match Test series against England and Australia in the cycle. India will be playing 44 Tests, 63 ODI and 76 T20I from Aug 18, 2022, to February 2027.</p>

<p>England will play the most Tests in the cycle - 22. Australia will play 21 Tests in the period, while India will play 20. Australia, England and India all play five-match Test series as part of the third and fourth editions of the WTC, which also comprises 19 two-match series and five three-match series each in the two editions of the Championship that run from 2023-25 and 2025-27.</p>

<p><b>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</b><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/if-someone-has-been-md-kaif-reacts-to-rahul-replacing-dhawan-as-india-captain-for-zimbabwe-odis-507708" hreflang="en">'If someone has been...' - Md Kaif reacts to Rahul replacing Dhawan as India captain for Zimbabwe ODIs</a></p>

<p>The FTP, which includes matches in the next two cycles of the nine-team ICC World Test Championship (WTC), sees an increase in the number of matches across all three formats compared to the previous cycle that ran from 2019-23. The FTP is the result of a collective effort of Members with ICC`s support and is designed to provide clarity around the calendar.</p>

<p>Each Member`s FTP is based on collective bilateral and mutual agreements and may vary in accordance with each Member`s overall cricketing and commercial programs. The 2023-27 FTP has over 770 matches. In addition to bilateral cricket, this four-year cycle will witness a single edition each of the Men`s Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy, and two editions each of the Men`s T20 World Cups and WTC finals.</p>

<p>Test teams outside the WTC have also scheduled a substantial number of bilateral Test matches in an effort to boost playing opportunities in cricket`s traditional multi-day format. The first-ever women`s FTP was announced on Tuesday, which will see over 300 matches played during the 2022-25 period. The media release issued on the Women`s FTP is available here.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/high-demand-for-india-pakistan-asia-cup-tickets-prompts-increase-in-availability-of-passes-and-a-policy-change-507684" hreflang="en">High demand for India-Pakistan Asia Cup tickets prompts increase in availability of passes and a policy change</a></p>

<p>"I`d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish," ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said.</p>

<p>"The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players. The exact dates and venues of matches outside of ICC events is for the Members to announce in due course," he added.</p>


The International Cricket Council on Wednesday released the Men`s Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023-27, confirming the international calendar for all Full Members across all three formats of the game.

The International Cricket Council on Wednesday released the Men`s Future Tours Programme (FTP) 2023-27, confirming the international calendar for all Full Members across all three formats of the game. In total, there will be 777 international matches - 173 Tests, 281 ODIs and 323 T20Is - in the 2023-2027 FTP cycle compared to the 694 in the current one. India will be playing 27 ODI matches before the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Meanwhile, Men in Blue will play 5 match Test series against England and Australia in the cycle. India will be playing 44 Tests, 63 ODI and 76 T20I from Aug 18, 2022, to February 2027. England will play the most Tests in the cycle - 22. Australia will play 21 Tests in the period, while India will play 20. Australia, England and India all play five-match Test series as part of the third and fourth editions of the WTC, which also comprises 19 two-match series and five three-match series each in the two editions of the Championship that run from 2023-25 and 2025-27. ALSO READ: 'If someone has been...' - Md Kaif reacts to Rahul replacing Dhawan as India captain for Zimbabwe ODIs The FTP, which includes matches in the next two cycles of the nine-team ICC World Test Championship (WTC), sees an increase in the number of matches across all three formats compared to the previous cycle that ran from 2019-23. The FTP is the result of a collective effort of Members with ICC`s support and is designed to provide clarity around the calendar. Each Member`s FTP is based on collective bilateral and mutual agreements and may vary in accordance with each Member`s overall cricketing and commercial programs. The 2023-27 FTP has over 770 matches. In addition to bilateral cricket, this four-year cycle will witness a single edition each of the Men`s Cricket World Cup and Champions Trophy, and two editions each of the Men`s T20 World Cups and WTC finals. Test teams outside the WTC have also scheduled a substantial number of bilateral Test matches in an effort to boost playing opportunities in cricket`s traditional multi-day format. The first-ever women`s FTP was announced on Tuesday, which will see over 300 matches played during the 2022-25 period. The media release issued on the Women`s FTP is available here. ALSO READ: High demand for India-Pakistan Asia Cup tickets prompts increase in availability of passes and a policy change "I`d like to thank our Members for the effort that has gone into creating this FTP for the next four years. We are incredibly lucky to have three vibrant formats of the game, with an outstanding programme of ICC global events and strong bilateral and domestic cricket and this FTP is designed to allow all cricket to flourish," ICC GM of Cricket Wasim Khan said. "The landscape around the game is continuing to evolve and we will work closely with Members as we collectively adapt to that. We are committed to growing the game and giving more fans more opportunities to enjoy cricket, but are very mindful of the need to balance that ambition with the welfare of players. The exact dates and venues of matches outside of ICC events is for the Members to announce in due course," he added.

ICC announce men's international calendar for 2023-27, India to play Tests against Australia and England

<p>New Zealand on Monday defeated England by an innings and 49 runs in the first Test of the two-match series at the Eden Park in Auckland.&nbsp</p>

<p>England suffered a major blow when it lost its captain Joe Root on the last ball of the fourth day, as it strove to save the Test, trailing New Zealand by 237 runs at the end of the day. &nbsp</p>

<p>With seven wickets in hand heading into the final day, the visitors lost Dawid Malan (23), Jonny Bairstow (26) and Moeen Ali (28) in the first session before Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes battled through the middle session.</p>

<p>Stokes, 66 off 264 balls, and Woakes, 52 off 164 balls, kept England's chances alive of drawing the match.</p>

<p>However, Neil Wagner dismissed them both to take his side to a comfortable victory.</p>

<p>Boult, Wagner, and Astle took three wickets each in the second innings.&nbsp</p>

<p>Boult was declared the Man of the Match for claiming nine wickets in the match.</p>

<p>The second Test will be played from March 30 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch.</p>

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England suffered a major blow when it lost its captain Joe Root

New Zealand on Monday defeated England by an innings and 49 runs in the first Test of the two-match series at the Eden Park in Auckland. England suffered a major blow when it lost its captain Joe Root on the last ball of the fourth day, as it strove to save the Test, trailing New Zealand by 237 runs at the end of the day. With seven wickets in hand heading into the final day, the visitors lost Dawid Malan (23), Jonny Bairstow (26) and Moeen Ali (28) in the first session before Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes battled through the middle session. Stokes, 66 off 264 balls, and Woakes, 52 off 164 balls, kept England's chances alive of drawing the match. However, Neil Wagner dismissed them both to take his side to a comfortable victory. Boult, Wagner, and Astle took three wickets each in the second innings. Boult was declared the Man of the Match for claiming nine wickets in the match. The second Test will be played from March 30 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Related Eng vs NZ, Day 4: Trent Boult captures Cook as England battle... Virat Kohli opts for county stint to prepare himself for... New Zealand build 171 runs lead on rain-disrupted second day 1st Test: New Zealand batsman Williamson shines as England...

1st Test: New Zealand beat England by innings and 49 runs