3 bowlers who can replace James Anderson as a long-term replacement in England's Test team

The cricketing world was greeted with massive news on Saturday when it came to light that England pacer James Anderson is set to retire after the Lord’s Test against West Indies. The first test will be played at the home of cricket where the right-arm seamer from Burnley made his Test debut 21 years ago. 

James Anderson who is the only pacer to pick 700 Test Wickets released a statement where he revealed his intention to retire. In his statement, he also thanked his family members and intended to play more golf once he steps away from the cricket field. 

Till now James Anderson has played 187 Test matches and picked 700 Test wickets with 32 fifers and 3 ten-wicket hauls. In the ODI format, Anderson had played 194 games and picked 269 wickets with a best of 5/23 and a further 18 wickets in the 19 T20I matches he played for the Three Lions.

Here are the three likely replacements for James Anderson 

3. Jamie Porter - 

30-year-old Essex pacer Jamie Porter has a wealth of experience with the ball in the county circuit. The tall pacer can be an ideal replacement for James Anderson as he has a similar pace and the ability to be lethal with the new ball. 

Jamie Porter has played 129 games in the county circuit and has picked 491 wickets with a best of 7/41. The right-arm pacer has also picked 18 fifers and on three occasions he has picked a match haul of ten wickets. In the five-county games this year, Porter has already picked 25 wickets with the ball. 

2. Matthew Potts 

Young Matthew Potts hasn’t been in the scheme of things for England since his appearance versus Ireland last year. The right-arm pacer put in good work during the England Lions tour of India where he picked 21 wickets from four matches including six-wicket hauls in successive matches. 

Matthew Potts can be an ideal replacement for James Anderson as he can beat the batter with the swing in the air. His bowling feat against India during the 2022 Test match showed why he is rated highly in the England camp. 

1. Sam Cook 

The name Sam Cook has been taken with excitement amongst the fans of County Cricket. The 25-year-old Essex bowler has formed a lethal partnership with Jamie Porter for his county side. Just like his senior partner, Sam Cook too has picked 25 wickets this season. 

Sam Cook may not have the rapid pace that James Anderson had at one stage but he has nagging accuracy. 290 wickets from 78 games with a best of 7/23 with 14 fifers and 4 ten-wicket hauls is enough to justify Sam Cook’s name as an ideal replacement for James Anderson.