Anderson hailed as 'bowling genius'

DEPARTING great James Anderson has been hailed as a "bowling genius" by England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson.

- RORY DOLLARD

After 21 years at the pinnacle of Test cricket Anderson's spell is finally over, leaving the sport with 188 caps and 704 wickets.

That leaves him as the most prolific pace bowler to ever to take the field, bowing out with a staggering 40,037 deliveries under his belt.

After his final day with England, the ECB paid tribute to a player who will go down as one of the greatest to wear the shirt.

Leading the way governing for the body, Thompson said: "I was lucky enough to be at Lord's when Jimmy made his Test debut 21 years ago and while his prodigious talent was immediately obvious, no-one could have predicted the significance and sheer longevity of his bowling genius.