In the modern era, people expect players to retire in their late thirties or at most forty. These expectations are valid as players go through a lot of injuries, late recovery periods, slow reflexes, etc. However, some bowlers are born differently. They go on to transcend that taboo by virtue of their brilliant performances, even at an older age. Their showings prove that age is just a number and what matters is performance. Let’s take a look at three players who attained the No.1 ranking at the age of 40 or more.
#1 James Anderson – 40 years and 6 months
He is the latest player on the list to achieve this feat. After making his debut way back in 2003, he is now the number-one ranked bowler in the ICCI rankings. Anderson, who has featured in 178 test matches over the course of 20 years, reached the summit following his brilliant performance against New Zealand picking up 7 wickets for just 54 runs in the recently concluded Test match.
#2 Bert Ironmonger – 50 years and 10 months
Bert Ironmonger made his debut from the Australian side at the age of 45 years and 237 days but was very quick to make an impact. He played 14 tests and picked up 74 wickets at a brilliant average of 17.97, including four five-wicket hauls with an excellent economy rate of 1.69 as well.
#3 Tich Freeman 41 years and 2 months
He is popularly known as ‘Tich’ and is regarded as one of the best slow bowlers to have ever played the game of cricket. Alfred Percy Tich Freeman represented England in 12 Tests and picked up 66 wickets including five five-wicket hauls with a phenomenal average of 25.86.
