The rise of T20 cricket will make Anderson’s record unbreakable

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Australia fast bowler Glenn McGrath says that it is only a matter of time before James Anderson surpasses his record for the most wickets by a fast bowler and he believes the new mark will be unbeatable.

McGrath believes that Anderson deserves all the credit for surpassing every other fast bowler in the game and said he would be among the first to congratulate the England quick.

“Records are nice and I’ve been very proud to have taken more wickets than any fast bowler in Test history, but any high is there to be beaten and I will be equally proud of Jimmy when he goes past me because the fast bowlers’ union has to stick together, whichever country we come from,” McGrath told Sportsmail.

“It is only a matter of time now before he gets there and I will be getting in touch with him as soon as he does to say well done. I have an awful lot of respect for Jimmy. Good luck to him. I believe once he goes past me he will never be beaten.”

McGrath lauded the skill of Anderson at home with the Duke ball and said that his ability away from home had improved vastly in the latter stages of the Burnley Express’ career.

“I’ve always said Jimmy was class, ever since I played against him in what became my last Test series in 2006-07. I noted how he swung the ball both ways conventionally, because it’s a real art form,” said McGrath.

“Not many have been able to do that. I can only really think of Wasim Akram, who is another great of the game, who could do that as skilfully.

“When the ball is swinging he’s as good as anyone out there, but when it isn’t he comes back towards the pack a little bit. That was certainly the case early in his career but he’s developed his skills as he’s gone on and become much more effective overseas.

“When Jimmy plays at home with the Dukes ball he’s second to none, but he has had to learn how to operate overseas with the Kookaburra ball that, to me, is not nearly as good to bowl with.

“It took him a while but he’s done that now.

“Once Jimmy goes past me it will be interesting to see where he wants to set the bar. With the nature of the game these days, and the amount of Twenty20 cricket, I believe no fast bowler will ever go past him.”

Anderson needs seven more Test wickets to go past McGrath’s standard of 563.

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