Image courtesy of: The Guardian

“Jimmy is slightly ahead because he does a lot more with the old ball”

Pakistan pace bowling legend Wasim Akram has announced that he believes England’s James Anderson is the “best bowler of this era”, especially with his outstanding performances with the ball in the ongoing Ashes series against Australia.

Anderson has currently taken 322 Test wickets, leaving him at third on England’s all-time list with just Sir Ian Botham and Bob Willis in front of him.

In terms of rankings, Anderson is currently at seventh on the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test bowlers rankings, which is led by South Africa pace spearhead Dale Steyn.

“Jimmy Anderson is leading from the front,” Akram told BBC Sport. “For me he is the best bowler of this era.

“He does it consistently, with the new ball and the old ball.”

Akram also praised Anderson’s intelligence with the ball, saying: “Jimmy is up there with me and Waqar because of the control he has. He was always good with the new ball, but with the old ball he is intelligent. He bowls five away-swingers, then one inswinger and takes a wicket.”

Akram added that he feels Anderson has the edge over Steyn, despite the Englishman’s Test average being 29.66 compared to Steyn’s 22.65.

In 2013 alone, Steyn has claimed 33 victims in five Test matches at an outstanding average of 12.56, while Anderson has picked up 32 wickets in seven Tests at an average of 23.12.

“I have seen Dale Steyn bowling with the old ball and he only bowls one delivery — the inswinger to the right-hander,” Akram said. “Steyn is one of the best in the world as well, but Jimmy is slightly ahead because he does a lot more with the old ball.”