James Anderson conquers nerves and critics to remain England's man for all conditions

NICK HOWSON: The seamer produced his best figures for more than 10 years against Sri Lanka at Galle. But is it enough for an England legend to be accepted as a world great?

Sri Lanka v England: Second Test scorecard

James Anderson primed for limited winter role as busy 2021 beckons

"You spend your whole day sitting around going 'is it going to be there when you walk out?' It is the only thing I'm nervous about."

Liam Gallagher may have provided one of the signature vocal performances of the pop-culture era, but paradoxically his bravado couldn't shift the fear of failure. Even among the world's best performers shelf life is temporary and fragile, the rug beneath your feet permanently taut.

It had been 150 days since James Anderson last laced up his boots for a Test spell, and yet that was long enough for a 38-year-old with more wickets than any seamer in history to begin to doubt his unrivalled genius. There were nerves abound upon replacing Stuart Broad for the second Test against Sri Lanka.

If you watch back the England quick's performance over the first two days in Galle you might wonder what all the anxiety was about. This was a genuinely special performance from Anderson, one of his very best home or away, old or young, and not assisted by a swinging Dukes ball, overly cloudy skies or roared on by The Barmy Army. What on earth will his critics come up with now?

In the absence of old friends, Anderson produced as skilled a display as any in recent memory. His six wickets were all about areas, hitting a shorter length than he might at Emirates Old Trafford or Trent Bridge.

A 30th five-wicket haul in Tests for James Anderson! 👏

Legend.#SLvENGpic.twitter.com/I1moQJtI6w

— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 23, 2021

Rarely has Anderson combined potency with such control. In just seven previous innings has he finished with a better economy rate than the 1.37 he claimed in the first innings and only once has it yielded as many as six scalps. As Jack Leach and Dom Bess failed to dominate with pace off, it was a much-needed return.

Joe Root's clever review and Niroshan Dickwella's nerves may have helped in taking Anderson to another five-for, but you earn those breaks when you perform with such discipline. The ball that got the latter was another example of Anderson's guile; an off-cutter which stuck in the pitch and produced a false shot.

Centurion Angelo Mathews said: "It’s not at all easy for fast bowlers to take five or six wickets, but I thought he used all his experience, he created a lot of pressure for all of us. Eventually, he got the results. He used all his experience, but if I had survived that Anderson spell, I could have added a lot more runs than three today."

Indeed, few places are more demoralising to bowl than Sri Lanka. Glenn McGrath labelled it "challenging". Allan Donald called it the "most demanding" country to play in. And it is fair to say, they both knew what they were doing.

Anderson now has more wickets in Sri Lanka than both. Sir Richard Hadlee is the only seamer with more five-fors. The wicker basket at his Lancashire home which contains the 29 other balls which have delivered him landmark hauls is about to be joined. The veteran might need a hamper by the time he calls time on his career.

There is a curious misnomer which has followed Anderson throughout his Test career, regarding his success in England and progress overseas. Granted, favourable home conditions have assisted his route towards the summit of the all-time wicket-taker list. But name a bowler who hasn't been?

The idea that Anderson rocks up to an English summer with a shinny new Dukes on a string is an insult to his dedication. The lateral movement he generates at home might be generous, but it overshadows the skill he is able to exert elsewhere. One-dimensional he certainly is not.

^{England's spinners had Anderson to thank, as all 10 wickets fell to seamers}

Despite the best efforts of former players, he is yet to be fully wrapped in cotton wool. Since turning 35 he has played 15 of England's 21 away Tests. His 6-40 in Galle brought up 200 wickets on tour, more than Imran Khan, Lance Gibbs, Stuart Broad, Joel Garner and Jacques Kallis. His 30th five-for in Tests saw him surpass Hadlee as the oldest to the feat in Asia.

Only in England and the West Indies is Anderson's record better than in Asia, where his average of 29.01 is level with Kapil Dev and better than Ishant Sharma and Lasith Malinga, not to mention Morne Morkel. He has more wickets in Sri Lanka than Imran Khan, while Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini trail him on the continent.

It is easy to forget that Anderson was not even selected to face Sri Lanka during the aborted tour last March, due to a rib injury suffered in South Africa. With the Ashes circus just up the road, it might have even been tempting to rest him and not add extra miles to his wearing legs. But the greats hate having a watching brief.

Rotation remains likely throughout England's visit to Asia, this summer and next winter in Australia. That will ensure Anderson remains active but not overworked. And with Anil Kumble in his sights and Shane Warne even on the horizon, there is a case to be made for him joining the exclusive 700-club.

The reality is just about anything is possible. And if you're not willing to believe that now, you never will be.

Images courtesy of Sri Lanka Cricket