James Anderson Announces Retirement - Where Does England's Swing King Rank Among Its Modern-Day Greats?

Just a couple of months ago, England's James Anderson was making history in the subcontinent as he became the first pace bowler in history to reach 700 test wickets. Prior to his exploits, only the late, great Shane Warne and Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muraalitharaan had ever reached the milestone, but Lancashire's finest put his name up in lights when he had Kuldeep Yadaav caught behind on the tour of India. However, unfortunately for the King of Swing, three games routinely beat his country in that series, and just a matter of months later, he has now announced that he plans to retire.

At the ripe old age of 41, the announcement is perhaps somewhat uninspiring. Anderson's final ever game will be England's first test of the series against the West Indies at Lord's in July. After a career spanning two decades at the very summit of global cricket, England's greatest-ever bowler has decidedly earned his rest and he will duly sail off to the sunset. And he will do so without ever having featured in the planet's premier domestic tournament, the IPL.

The grandest spectacle in club cricket is well underway already. Popular online bookmaker Thunderpick sports betting has been covering all the action. They currently have odds available on the upcoming clash between the Gujarat Titans and the Kolkata Knight Riders, making the former a 2.16 underdog despite reaching the Grand Final in each of the last two years.

Anderson never got to feature under the bright lights of the Indian Premier League, but he has certainly shone on the international scene, and he will go down as England's greatest-ever bowler. But which players join him on the list of modern greats? Let's find out.

James Anderson

The soon-to-be-retired star's career is one of unparalleled longevity. Since making his Test debut in 2003 against Zimbabwe - and duly taking his first of over 40 five-wicket-hauls in the process - the 41-year-old veteran has become synonymous with English cricket's successes over the past two decades. Known for his exceptional ability to swing the ball both toward and away from the batsman, Anderson has been bewildering batsmen worldwide for well over a generation.

His ability to extract movement in seemingly benign conditions places him in a league of his own. With over 700 Test wickets, Anderson not only tops the list of England’s highest wicket-takers but also ranks as one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the game. He was one of the stars of the show when England won the Ashes Down Under back in 2010/11, taking 26 wickets on mostly dry and unfavourable pitches. He will be aiming to provide one last hurrah throughout the first half of the summer before riding off into the sunset forever.

Stuart Broad

Often spoken of in the same breath as the aforementioned Anderson, Stuart Broad has frequently been considered his teammate's partner in crime. The devastating double act has terrorized opposition batsmen ever since striking up a formidable partnership in the 2009 Ashes Series in England, and from there, they never looked back. The former Nottinghamshire man's height gives him a distinct advantage, allowing him to generate bounce and movement off the pitch, in addition to making the ball swing plenty as well.

His spells have often turned games on their heads, none more so than his 8-15 against Australia in 2015, which will forever be etched in Ashes folklore. Together with Anderson, Broad formed a formidable partnership, terrorizing batting line-ups and setting records that may never be broken. He announced his retirement late last year at the age of 37 after a stellar career and now, his buddy is set to join him on the sidelines.

Steve Harmison

At his peak, Steve Harmison was one of the most feared fast bowlers in the world. His tall frame and quick arm action enabled him to bowl at ferocious speeds, often unsettling the best in the business. Harmison’s 7-12 against West Indies in 2004 is still talked about as one of the most devastating spells in Test cricket, and it was his bowling that managed to break the staunch resistance of Brett Lee and Michael Kasprowiczin in the second Ashes test at Edgbaston the following summer.

Although consistency eluded him at times, his impact on games was undeniable, making him a key player for England during his years. And he very nearly secured the Urn with a hat trick in 2009, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be.

Andrew Flintoff

While primarily known for his all-round capabilities, Andrew Flintoff's contributions with the ball alone merit inclusion in this list. Freddie had the ability to bowl at high speeds and could change the course of a game with his sheer willpower. His duels with some of the game's best batsmen, such as Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis, were legendary, marked by aggression and a never-say-die attitude. His performances in the 2005 Ashes series, where he was both a leading wicket-taker and a significant run-scorer, underline his status as one of the game’s all-time great mavericks.