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:&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>

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&nbsp;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.

<h2>A thorn in batter’s flesh</h2>

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 &amp; Night Test) in 2017, Anderson probably achieved it all.

<h2>A pair made in heaven&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

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:&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>

<h2>A legacy that will live forever&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

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.

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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`

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lancashire were dealt a personal blow when they lost their chairman David Hodgkiss late in March after the 71-year-old contracted the dreaded virus. But weeks later Lancashire have returned with record financial earnings while putting themselves in contention to host Test matches during English summer as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to resume cricket in the country.&nbsp;

Lancashire have announced their highest-ever annual turnover of £34 million ($41 million). And EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) for the Lancashire county in 2019 were £7.6 million.

"Excluding minority interests and one-off legacies it is absolutely a record," CEO Daniel Gidney told AFP. "It's a very proud day for the club.

"A hundred per cent it is David's legacy. He was a mentor, a friend as well as a boss. With his construction background, without him the £60 million redevelopment (of the ground) would not have happened. The board was the driving force but he was the centre of that.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anil-kumble-led-icc-cricket-committee-recommends-ban-on-saliva-due-to-covid-19-pandemic-299598" hreflang="en">Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee recommends ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic</a>

"For me, a business problem to solve is like any other problem such as a recession but when you lose a friend it is an emotional kick in the gut."

Gidney further confirmed that they have made a formal expression of interest to the ECB for hosting Test matches at the iconic Old Trafford cricket stadium. Interestingly, with a Hilton hotel on the premises of the Old Trafford ground, Lancashire provides best possible solution to the ECB for hosting the longest format of the game when cricket resumes.&nbsp;

The ECB is planning to host the West Indies in a three-match Test series in July and Pakistan in August.&nbsp;

Should cricket be allowed to go ahead in the UK, like the Premier League, Tests could be played behind closed doors at ‘bio-secure’ stadiums with on-site accommodation like the Old Trafford.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-hopes-rise-as-indian-government-allows-re-opening-of-stadiums-299457" hreflang="en">IPL hopes rise as Indian government allows re-opening of stadiums</a>

"We have made a formal expression of interest to the ECB," said Gidney. "We believe we have the capability, the experience and facilities on-site in supporting them put on a bio-secure event."

"David's legacy is to complete the ground redevelopment, a new stand, another hotel and work with the local authority on a leisure centre," said Gidney.

"We also decided after last year's World Cup match between India and Pakistan to look east and an Indian growth strategy -- to make Lancashire the second Indian team so if the fan say supports Mumbai Indians then their English team is us.

"We are looking at both building the fanbase and players playing for Lancashire.

"The objective is definitely getting more Asian voices involved in English cricket -- it can only be a good thing for the game."

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lancashire were dealt a personal blow when they lost their chairman David Hodgkiss late in March after the 71-year-old contracted the dreaded virus.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Lancashire were dealt a personal blow when they lost their chairman David Hodgkiss late in March after the 71-year-old contracted the dreaded virus. But weeks later Lancashire have returned with record financial earnings while putting themselves in contention to host Test matches during English summer as England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to resume cricket in the country. Lancashire have announced their highest-ever annual turnover of £34 million ($41 million). And EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization) for the Lancashire county in 2019 were £7.6 million. "Excluding minority interests and one-off legacies it is absolutely a record," CEO Daniel Gidney told AFP. "It's a very proud day for the club. "A hundred per cent it is David's legacy. He was a mentor, a friend as well as a boss. With his construction background, without him the £60 million redevelopment (of the ground) would not have happened. The board was the driving force but he was the centre of that. ALSO READ: Anil Kumble-led ICC Cricket Committee recommends ban on saliva due to COVID-19 pandemic "For me, a business problem to solve is like any other problem such as a recession but when you lose a friend it is an emotional kick in the gut." Gidney further confirmed that they have made a formal expression of interest to the ECB for hosting Test matches at the iconic Old Trafford cricket stadium. Interestingly, with a Hilton hotel on the premises of the Old Trafford ground, Lancashire provides best possible solution to the ECB for hosting the longest format of the game when cricket resumes. The ECB is planning to host the West Indies in a three-match Test series in July and Pakistan in August. Should cricket be allowed to go ahead in the UK, like the Premier League, Tests could be played behind closed doors at ‘bio-secure’ stadiums with on-site accommodation like the Old Trafford. ALSO READ: IPL hopes rise as Indian government allows re-opening of stadiums "We have made a formal expression of interest to the ECB," said Gidney. "We believe we have the capability, the experience and facilities on-site in supporting them put on a bio-secure event." "David's legacy is to complete the ground redevelopment, a new stand, another hotel and work with the local authority on a leisure centre," said Gidney. "We also decided after last year's World Cup match between India and Pakistan to look east and an Indian growth strategy -- to make Lancashire the second Indian team so if the fan say supports Mumbai Indians then their English team is us. "We are looking at both building the fanbase and players playing for Lancashire. "The objective is definitely getting more Asian voices involved in English cricket -- it can only be a good thing for the game."

Lancashire offer to host Test cricket during COVID-19 crisis after posting record earnings

A&nbsp;13-year-old&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/hendrick-strikes-late-as-burnley-beat-newcastle-23173">Burnley</a>&nbsp;fan&nbsp;ejected from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/champions-league-mourinho-masterstroke-pays-off-as-tottenham-spurs-hit-back-to-win-264816">Tottenham Hotspur Stadium</a> on Saturday for an&nbsp;alleged&nbsp;racist&nbsp;gesture&nbsp;directed at Spurs' South Korea forward&nbsp;Son&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-put-my-booster-on-son-heung-min-shares-secret-behind-magnificent-goal-267042">Heung-Min</a> is being&nbsp;investigated&nbsp;by police, the Lancashire club said on Monday.

The supporter, who was accompanied by a guardian, was spotted by stewards when he made the&nbsp;alleged&nbsp;gesture&nbsp;during&nbsp;Burnley's 5-0 Premier League defeat. The club said the teenager was under investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Son, named Asia's International Player of the Year last week, scored in the first period when he picked the ball up in his own half and cut through&nbsp;Burnley's midfield and defence with a solo run before slotting it past the goalkeeper.

"Burnley&nbsp;Football Club will be contacting the teenager and his family, with a view to an enforced educational program, run in conjunction with Kick It Out and&nbsp;Burnley&nbsp;FC in the Community," the club said in a statement.

"Burnley&nbsp;Football Club would like to reiterate its zero-tolerance policy&nbsp;towards&nbsp;discrimination of any kind. We will continue to work with the authorities to help eradicate the growing problem of discrimination within football."

On Sunday, two&nbsp;fans from the away end at Brighton &amp; Hove Albion's Amex Stadium were ejected, arrested and later released by Sussex Police for homophobic abuse during the 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A 13-year-old Burnley fan ejected from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday for an alleged racist gesture directed at Spurs' South Korea forward Son Heung-Min is being investigated by police, the Lancashire club said on Monday.

A 13-year-old Burnley fan ejected from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday for an alleged racist gesture directed at Spurs' South Korea forward Son Heung-Min is being investigated by police, the Lancashire club said on Monday. The supporter, who was accompanied by a guardian, was spotted by stewards when he made the alleged gesture during Burnley's 5-0 Premier League defeat. The club said the teenager was under investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Son, named Asia's International Player of the Year last week, scored in the first period when he picked the ball up in his own half and cut through Burnley's midfield and defence with a solo run before slotting it past the goalkeeper. "Burnley Football Club will be contacting the teenager and his family, with a view to an enforced educational program, run in conjunction with Kick It Out and Burnley FC in the Community," the club said in a statement. "Burnley Football Club would like to reiterate its zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind. We will continue to work with the authorities to help eradicate the growing problem of discrimination within football." On Sunday, two fans from the away end at Brighton & Hove Albion's Amex Stadium were ejected, arrested and later released by Sussex Police for homophobic abuse during the 2-2 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Football: Burnley fan, 13, investigated for alleged racist gesture towards Son

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

Lancashire offer to host Test cricket during COVID-19 crisis after posting record earnings

Football: Burnley fan, 13, investigated for alleged racist gesture towards Son