Sachin Tendulkar was James Anderson’s toughest riddle to solve

London, July 11

England fast bowling great James Anderson, who is into his final few days as an international cricketer, enjoyed his battles against Sachin Tendulkar the most over the course of his remarkably long career.

Anderson, who is playing his 188th Test for England against West Indies at Lord’s, will retire after the game.

Even though Anderson dismissed Tendulkar on nine occasions, he could not have a set plan against the ‘master blaster’.

“The best batter I would have to say is Sachin Tendulkar,” Anderson told Sky Sports when asked about the toughest batter he bowled to.

“I don’t remember having a specific game plan against Sachin Tendulkar. Once he came on, I would just think that I cannot bowl a bad ball here, he was that kind of player. He was key for India as well. If you get him out in India, the whole atmosphere in the ground changes. He was such a big wicket,” Anderson said.

Like Tendulkar, who represented India for 24 years, Anderson has set a telling example for fast bowlers, playing Test cricket for 21 years. However, Anderson said both he and Tendulkar enjoyed success against each other.

“You just try on bowling your best ball, top of off-stump, the whole time and hope he miss a straight one. In England, he might knick the odd one, but generally, I’d try and get him out LBW early,” he said.