Legendary Australian spinner Nathan Lyon said that it is surprising that England pace veteran James Anderson is retiring from the game, calling him the "best ever" fast bowler to have played the sport. Ahead of his final international match on July 10 against West Indies, England and Lancashire pacer James Anderson sent out warning signs as he was at his lethal best taking a seven-wicket-haul against Nottinghamshire on Tuesday, forcing a follow on. Speaking on the Lancashire Cricket Website after Anderson's spell, Lyon said, "He (Anderson) showed his class.
No disrespect to the other bowlers in this game but you can see the class of Jimmy and the extra zip he gets off the wicket. I have said this before, I am very much surprised that England have tapped him on the shoulder. He is class, he is world-class.
He's probably the best to ever play the game as a fast bowler and his skillset, especially in England, is remarkable." He also said that during the game, it was weird to encourage Anderson, his arch-rival in international cricket during the County Championship as a teammate. "I have obviously seen it on the other side.
We had a little moment when we said it feels a bit sick for me to say "Come on Jimmy" and him saying "nice Garry". That was a bit different but it is the beauty of county cricket I guess and it is pretty special to play with arguably the greatest bowler to ever play the game," he said. During the County Championship Division One game, Nottinghamshire was aimin.
