Brian Lara names 'greatest’ pacer to play the game

Former West Indies captain Brian Lara named England’s James Anderson as the greatest pacer to ever play the game as the Englishman is nearing his retirement from international cricket.

Anderson, 41, is widely considered England’s greatest pacer as he made unmatchable history throughout his career with the country and is the only pacer to bag 700 wickets in red-ball cricket.

He is named in England’s first Test squad against West Indies which will begin on July 10 at Lord’s Cricket Ground and that would be Anderson’s 188th and last red-ball match for England.

Lara believes that Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to ever play the game as he has achieved many accolades during his career.

“He is the greatest fast bowler that has ever played the game. His numbers are incredible, and he has served England well. I know he did not have that in mind (retiring from cricket), but I think he has accepted it. If that is the choice of his captain, coach, and selectors, then so be it,” Lara said.

“He has had a tremendous career for England. There are not many England cricketers who come close to Anderson (when asked about Anderson’s legacy). He has taken the most Test wickets as a fast bowler and had a career that lasted for over 23 years.

"I think only Courtney Walsh comes close to him in terms of the number of years he has played, but his legacy is going to be tremendous, and I think as an English cricketer, he has the respect of the world."

England's squad for the first two Tests against West Indies

Ben Stokes (Captain), James Anderson (First Test only), Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Dillon Pennington, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith and Chris Woakes.

England vs West Indies Test series schedule

First Test — July 10 to 14 @ Lord's Cricket Ground

Second Test — July 18 to 22 @ Trent Bridge, Nottingham

Third Test — July 26 to 30 @ Edgbaston, Birmingham 

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