James Anderson and Glenn McGrath: A Statistical Analysis

As James Anderson nears the record for most wickets by a fast bowler in Test match cricket, people have started comparing him with the legendary, Glenn McGrath.

While, we can compare the numbers, It won't be fair to compare these two players as they played majority of their matches in completely different eras. In fact, the only time these two played in the same era was between Anderson's debut in May, 2003 and Mcgrath's retirement in Jan, 2007.

So, having said that, let's find out how these two players' numbers stack up against each other under different circumstances.

To make the analysis more fruitful, we have analysed them under 4 situations viz., Overall performance, Ashes performance, Overlap period performance and Generic performance.

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#1: Overall Performance

A- Overall Record

Glenn Mcgrath vs James Anderson- Overall Comparison

Glenn McGrath:

Mcgrath made his debut against New Zealand on the bouncy turf of Perth in the year 1993. His debut was a decent one as he took 2 wickets in the first innings including the important one of Mark Greatbatch.

When we look at Mcgrath's overall performance, it looks outstanding. He has taken 563 wickets in 243 innings at a superb average of 21.6 and a good strike rate of 52.9. His consistency looks amazing at 42.8%.

Overall, he has 11 Man-of-the-Match awards, 5 Man-of-the-Series awards and 29 five-wicket hauls to his name.

James Anderson:

James Anderson had a dream debut against Zimbabwe in 2003 as he took a five-wicket haul at his favorite venue, Lord's.

Overall, he has a good record with 557* wickets in 263 innings at a good average of 26.9 and a good strike rate of 55.9.

He has 8 Man-of-the-Match awards, 5 Man-of-the-Series awards and 26 five-wicket hauls to his name. His consistency is just average at 33.5%.

B- Performance in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia

It is important to breakdown these stats into different situations, hence, let's find out how these two performed when playing in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia.

Glenn Mcgrath vs James Anderson in South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia

As we can see, both have taken their maximum number of wickets playing in these 4 pace friendly conditions.

Mcgrath once again looks lethal with his performances with a better average, a better strike rate and a better consistency.

It is seen that the performance of these two players in these countries reflects their overall performance too.

C- Performance in Other Countries

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson in Other Countries

This is where the things gets interestingly poor for Anderson. His average increases from 26.6 to 28.4 and his strike rate too increases from 54.4 to 64.4. Overall in countries other than South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia, he has taken only 2 five-wicket haul out of his 26 overall.

However, he has a Man-of-the-series award to his name. Something which McGrath doesn't have in these conditions.

McGrath on the other hand maintains his record in other countries too. His average, strike rate and consistency are all at par with his overall performance.

#2: Ashes

A- Overall Ashes

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson in Ashes

When we see the performance of these two players in Ashes, Mcgrath once again shows his superiority. In Ashes, Mcgrath has taken a total of 157 wickets (27.88% of his wickets) at a superb average of 20.9 and a strike rate of only 46.4; both better than his overall record.

Jimmy on the other disappoints us. His overall performance in Ashes looks just average having accounted for 104 wickets (his most against a particular opposition) at an average of 34.6 and a strike rate of 67.6. The performance looks way below his standards.

Breaking it down into individual countries, let's see how they have performed

B- Ashes in England

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson in Ashes (in England)

In England, Anderson has taken 44 wickets from 24 innings at an average of 33.4 and a strike rate of 61.5. These are not good numbers.

Mcgrath has been exceptional once again. In England he has taken 87 wickets from 28 innings at a phenomenal average of 19.3 and a superb strike rate of 39.9.

C- Ashes in Australia

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson in Ashes (Australia)

In Australia, Anderson inches closer to McGrath but still it is McGrath who comes out on top. He sports an average of 22.9 against Jimmy's 35.4 and a strike rate of 54.4 against Jimmy's 72.1.

McGrath also has pickep up 10 more wickets than Anderson which gives him the clear edge.

#3: Between James Anderson's Debut and Glenn McGrath's Retirement

This is the only phase where these players played the gentleman's game at its highest level at the same time. The phase starts with Anderson's debut in May, 2003 and ends at Mcgrath's retirement in Jan, 2007.

Performance of Glenn McGrath and James Anderson playing in the same period

Comparing their overall performance in this phase, McGrath excels once again with 138 scalps to his kitty from 62 innings at an average of 21.5 and a strike rate of 52.2. His consistency is slightly below par at 37.1%

Well, we can't complain too much regarding Anderson's performance as he was in his initial years . In this phase, he had taken 46 wickets from 30 innings at an average of 38.4 and strike rate of 60.5. His consistency was poor at just 20%.

A- Performance in Ashes (May, 2003 - Jan 2007)

Performance of Glenn McGrath and James Anderson playing in the same period in Ashes

B- Performance in SA, NZ, Aus and Eng (May 2003 - Jan 2007)

Performance of Glenn McGrath and James Anderson in SA, Eng, NZ and Aus (May 2003 - Jan 2007)

#4: General Records

Wickets and average are one of the most crucial aspects of bowling in test match cricket, hence, let's look at the key difference between both these players in terms of wickets and average.

A- Wickets against individual teams

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson's wickets against individual teams

When we breakdown the number of wickets taken by them and average against each country, following interesting observations come up:

1. 157 against England- Most wickets taken by Glenn Mcgrath against a single opposition. His average against the same opposition is only 20.9;
2. 104 against Australia- Most wickets taken by James Anderson against a single opposition. However, his average against the same opposition is 34.6, which is poor as per his standards;
3. Anderson has taken more wickets than Mcgrath against India, New Zealand, South Africa and Srilanka;
4. Mcgrath has taken more wickets than Anderson against only Pakistan and West Indies.

B- Average against individual teams

Glenn Mcgrath and James Anderson's average against individual teams

Comparing the averages, we have following observations:

1. Pakistan is the only opposition against whom Anderson has overshadowed McGrath. He has a superb average of 18.6 against Pakistan, in comparison to McGrath's 21.7;
2. 27.3 against South Africa- McGrath's worst average against a single opposition.
3. Against India, McGrath's favorite opposition, he has taken 51 wickets at a phenomenal average of 18.6.

Conclusion:

"Once he goes past me, Anderson will never be beaten" - Glenn McGrath

Anderson may eventually break the record and set a new one that will stay forever according to McGrath. However, the way Glenn Mcgrath dominated the 90's, there have been very few bowlers who could come close to that.

Outgrowing all the above analysis, for the benefit of the sport we must recognise that both of these bowlers have been phenomenal in their respective eras, and have done a brilliant job for their country.