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Where Jimmy Anderson ranks in England’s top 10 greatest cricketers of all time, by LAWRENCE BOOTH

Sir James Anderson is set to retire from cricket - but where does he rank among the finest ever to play for England? Here, Wisden Editor LAWRENCE BOOTH picks his top 10.

By LAWRENCE BOOTH · Daily Mail

Published: Wednesday, 21 October 2026 at 5:32 PM

Key Things to Know

Lawrence Booth ranks James Anderson as England's fifth-greatest cricketer of all time following his impending retirement.
Ian Botham, Jack Hobbs, WG Grace, and Joe Root are ranked ahead of Anderson by the writer.
Anderson is set to retire after Lancashire decided against offering him a new contract for 2027.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Following reports that Sir James Anderson is set to retire after Lancashire declined to offer him a new contract for 2027, writer Lawrence Booth ranked England's top ten cricketers of all time. Anderson, aged 44, holds England's records for Test and ODI wickets. In Booth's historical rankings, Anderson places fifth among England's all-time greats, trailing Ian Botham, Jack Hobbs, WG Grace, and Joe Root.

Booth praises Anderson's 704 Test wickets as the most by any fast bowler in history, noting his success across conditions including Asia. The remainder of Booth's list includes Walter Hammond, Len Hutton, Sydney Barnes, Alastair Cook, and Stuart Broad.

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Where Jimmy Anderson ranks in England’s top 10 greatest cricketers of all time, by LAWRENCE BOOTH

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