James Anderson: the name itself sends shivers down the spines of batsmen worldwide. A cricketing colossus, Anderson’s mastery of swing bowling has tormented batting lineups for over two decades. But beyond the wickets and accolades, Anderson possesses a sharp wit and thoughtful perspective, captured in these 75 quotes that delve into the heart and mind of a cricketing legend.
Dive into the world of Jimmy Anderson with quotes that explore:
James Anderson Quotes
1- “I regard sledging, chirping, whatever you want to call it, as one of the weapons at my disposal.” -James Anderson
2- “Getting past 30 as a sportsman, the end could be just around the corner.” -James Anderson
3- “If someone says something to me, I am not going to back down. Whether it’s defending myself or standing up for one of my teammates, that is the way I play the game.” -James Anderson
4- “Being away so much makes you treasure those moments you are at home, spending time with your family.” -James Anderson
5- “I’ve been doing a lot of strength and stretch work to get stronger.” -James Anderson
6- “I very rarely get recognised in the street.” -James Anderson
7- “For me I love playing against the best players in the world, testing yourself and seeing whether you can get the better of them.” -James Anderson
8- “I know my game really well and I’m relatively comfortable in most situations.” -James Anderson
9- “This game’s a lot easier early on in your career because people haven’t seen you play. Things got a lot harder when people saw what I did with the ball and began to think about how to bat against me.” -James Anderson
10- “I’ve spoken to people who have retired once they lost the enjoyment of a long day in the field or going to the gym. If I lose that, it’s time to go.” -James Anderson
11- “Maybe, early on, I had too many coaches, with three or four guys all giving different input.” -James Anderson
12- “As long as the body feels OK, I’m enjoying playing, helping the team improve and taking wickets, I’ll keep going.” -James Anderson
13- “No, no I don’t speed or anything. I drive a VW Touareg so.” -James Anderson
14- “Lord’s is such a special place and to get my first and now my 500th wickets here is something that will live with me for a long time.” -James Anderson
15- “I play a bit of golf, off a 12 handicap.” -James Anderson
16- “A competitive edge has helped me through my career.” -James Anderson
17- “I don’t like half-volleys being driven for four.” -James Anderson
18- “When you’re a kid, you dream about playing cricket for a living, playing for your county and then your country.” -James Anderson
19- “A bully waits until they are in the ascendancy to pounce on people.” -James Anderson
20- “I’ve played in Test matches before after injury without first playing a county game or warm-up of some sort.” -James Anderson
21- “I would like a better record here in Australia but I would like a better record in every country.” -James Anderson
22- “I’ve spent most of my life watching fast bowlers – initially as a kid on TV and later in the flesh when I started playing top-level cricket.” -James Anderson
23- “The Gabba is not a frightening place to play.” -James Anderson
24- “I’ll tell you something about Glenn McGrath – he was a much better bowler than me. This is not false modesty.” -James Anderson
25- “To get key players out in a Test win is what you remember years later.” -James Anderson
26- “The Oval 2018 was one of the most extraordinary Tests I’ve been involved with.” -James Anderson
27- “There is something special about the early stages of an Ashes Test. There is this unique buzz.” -James Anderson
28- “It is easy for people to say ‘Go and express yourselves’ but you need the players, talent, confidence and environment to do it.” -James Anderson
29- “In the heat of battle you might not be thinking clearly and that is when players have to take on the responsibility of helping the other guys out.” -James Anderson
30- “Ben Stokes, for example, is someone who plays better when he is a bit aggressive – and that’s something you don’t want to take away from him.” -James Anderson
31- “A coach can help only so much. Out on the field you need a partner.” -James Anderson
32- “I’m a very competitive person and maybe I’d taken things a bit too far at times.” -James Anderson
33- “It would obviously be a big deal to reach 500 wickets but I don’t see it as a target or goal, it’s not something that has driven me on.” -James Anderson
34- “I’m proud to have represented England in four World Cups but it was hugely frustrating that we never reached a semi-final or played to our ability.” -James Anderson
35- “The pink ball is a bit different. I don’t think it moves as much through the air.” -James Anderson
36- “Having two bowlers who can exceed 90 mph is a mouth-watering prospect – and something batsmen will not relish one bit.” -James Anderson
37- “It is a knowledgeable crowd at Old Trafford and they will also tell you when you are not bowling well.” -James Anderson
38- “A lot of teams see Lord’s as a special place and up their games to try to get their names on the honours’ board.” -James Anderson
39- “You can feel a bit of extra pressure bowling at your own ground.” -James Anderson
40- “Even at the age of 36, I’m always looking at ways to improve.” -James Anderson
41- “I don’t actually have a regular end I bowl from at Old Trafford.” -James Anderson
42- “An out-and-out fast bowler is one of the great sights in cricket.” -James Anderson
43- “I dreamt of playing for Lancashire then but never really thought it would happen.” -James Anderson
44- “Test cricket tests your ability as a cricketer but also bring out your true character.” -James Anderson
45- “When games are close together you have to draw a line under the first match whether you win or lose, and then start again for the next one.” -James Anderson
46- “Trent Bridge, 2013, is my favourite Test. An Ashes opener and England won a thriller by 14 runs. I managed to take ten wickets, which helps.” -James Anderson
47- “There is a lot of talk about how Twenty20 has changed batting techniques in Test cricket. But it has also had an impact on bowling.” -James Anderson
48- “Growing up, my education about Test cricket came from dad’s video of the 1981 Ashes series – and Ian Botham’s incredible match at Headingley.” -James Anderson
49- “It is easy to get carried away in this Twenty20 era and think Test cricket has to be entertaining all the time.” -James Anderson
50- “I didn’t watch a Test match live until I played in my first in 2003.” -James Anderson
51- “I think I have got a decent pain threshold.” -James Anderson
52- “If you can dismiss the best in the world, it means you’re doing something right and have the quality needed to perform at the highest level.” -James Anderson
53- “There have not been many occasions when I have bowled pain free and generally you are not 100 percent.” -James Anderson
54- “It’s great when you can challenge yourself against the top players in tense situations. I’ve always enjoyed it.” -James Anderson
55- “Instinctively I know the difference between general pain from bowling, and pain caused by a specific problem.” -James Anderson
56- “Kohli is always fired up, very animated on the field and plays with passion.” -James Anderson
57- “It is scary when bowling how hard batsmen hit it now.” -James Anderson
58- “Andrew Strauss captained me through my purple patch.” -James Anderson
59- “There is nothing quite like an Ashes trip Down Under.” -James Anderson
60- “Alastair Cook is one of my best pals.” -James Anderson
61- “I understand that when a player reaches his mid-thirties, and has a few injuries, people start to question how long he can last.” -James Anderson
62- “Nasser Hussain was skipper when I first played for England and a massive influence. He showed me a lot of faith.” -James Anderson
63- “The more I can get into my brain the more I can produce on the field.” -James Anderson
64- “I managed just five Tests between 2004 and 2006.” -James Anderson
65- “An inswinger – that gets an lbw or bowled – after a few outswingers is always very pleasing.” -James Anderson
66- “I don’t agree with the theory that removing grass and pace from the pitch nullifies Mitchell Johnson.” -James Anderson
67- “Partnerships are not just about bowling in tandem all the time. It all is about helping the other guy get in the right frame of mind.” -James Anderson
68- “I just go out and try to help England win games.” -James Anderson
69- “I’m very fortunate to have the body I have.” -James Anderson
70- “Hashim Amla is someone that stands out. He’s a world-class player and I have not had a huge amount of success against him.” -James Anderson
71- “For a fast bowler, not much stress goes through my body.” -James Anderson
72- “I’m enjoying playing. As long as that continues, I’ll carry on playing as long as I can.” -James Anderson
73- “I played at Lancashire when Glen Chapple was 40 to 41 and he was as good as he ever was then.” -James Anderson
74- “I’ve just enjoyed playing for England – it’s an amazing job.” -James Anderson
75- “Milestones have never really meant a lot. They probably will mean more when I’ve finished playing and actually reflect on what I have achieved.” -James Anderson
