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For those at Bacup watching Anderson bowl they could hardly have dared believe what would happen to the young bowler within the next ten months. In fact ‘Jimmy’ was still in the Burnley side well into June.
Then he was called up into the Lancashire team and by the time he was celebrating his 20th birthday in July he had already turned in a match winning performance for his county taking 3-27 and 6-23 against Hampshire.
It was clear then that he was not set to return to the Burnley side in a hurry but even so nothing more than establishing himself at Old Trafford was considered to be on the horizon.
He did more than that though and collected 50 first class wickets in 2002, a fantastic achievement given he had played just half the season, and he was selected to go to the academy in Australia.
Also in Oz were the England side who were having a difficult time with their bowlers. Already without Darren Gough they lost Simon Jones and Freddie Flintoff (now training with the Clarets) to injury, Matthew Hoggard was having a bad time and Steve Harmison was struggling to pitch the ball on the square.
They called up James for the one day VB Series. From Lancashire League to the MCG and the SCG in a matter of months. And the ‘Burnley Express’ didn’t disappoint turning in some excellent performances. So much so that he was selected for the World Cup Squad.
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It was a brilliant day last month to see the Clarets beat Derby 2-0 and then get home to see Anderson rip out the cream of the Pakistan batting with figures of 4-29. No tail enders either, he claimed the wickets of Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana in a devastating spell of bowling.
Throughout the winter he has helped to put the town of Burnley on the map with some considerable help from David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd who has been acting almost as PR for the town in the commentary box. It was ‘Bumble’ many years ago who did the half time draw at Turf Moor and placed a Claret & Blue bob cap on top of the Gillette Cup.
Like Craig Heap and Neil Hodgson before him James Anderson has brought great credit and glory to Burnley and we should all thank him for that.
And finally don’t believe all this nonsense about him being a Gooner – whatever the press want to tell you I can assure you that James watches his football at Turf Moor.
Congratulations to you James on your superb performances for England this winter and for helping to give this town of ours so much good publicity. Enjoy your night in the Turf Moor spotlight and enjoy the reception you get from the Clarets’ fans at half time, it is very much deserved.