James Anderson has the best success rate among those who have dismissed Sachin Tendulkar at least four times in Test cricket, and the reason, he says, is because he treats the great man as he would any other batsman.
“He's obviously a huge wicket for us, but I don't bowl any differently to him,” said the English new-ball bowler, who has taken Tendulkar's wicket six times in seven Tests. (Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie have dismissed Tendulkar as many times, but in more Tests, while Muttiah Muralitharan has got him the most times — eight — in 19 games).
“He's the sort who's not thinking about me when he is batting and I don't think about him when I bowl,” added Anderson. The understatement is in keeping with the 28-year-old's reputation off the field (on the field, he's more talkative), and he played down his success at Trent Bridge as well.
Anderson has 28 wickets in four Tests here at a strike-rate of a wicket every 33 balls.
“It swings here,” he said, when asked about his success.
“But you can't go into a match expecting it to swing. It's nice to play at the ground where you have had success but come Friday I won't be thinking about it.”