Farokh Engineer says James Anderson was the best swing bowler and deserves an Old Trafford stand
On October 26, 2026, former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer said James Anderson was the best swing bowler he had seen and argued the retired England pacer deserves a stand at Old Trafford after Lancashire confirmed it would not offer Anderson a new contract, ending a 25-year association with the county. Engineer made the remarks while speaking to PTI.
Engineer, who played for Lancashire between 1968 and 1976, recalled his own county career and its honours while urging recognition for Anderson; he scored 5,942 runs in 175 matches, took 429 catches and completed 35 stumpings during that period. The 88-year-old has a stand at Old Trafford named after him that was unveiled last year. Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024, finishing with 704 wickets in 188 Tests, with his final Test appearance coming against the West Indies at Lord's. Engineer also noted existing tributes at the ground and in the local hotel, saying Anderson already has a Jimmy's bar and that there are Hilton suites bearing players' names.
"Lancashire have had a few great opening bowlers over the years, the great Brian Statham, Peter Lever, Ken Higgs, Wasim Akram, you could go on and on. But Jimmy Anderson takes the cake when swing and seam conditions are available," Engineer told PTI.
On Anderson's technical strengths, Engineer said: "There's no one better than Jimmy Anderson in the world. He can swing the ball either way, and he has so much control over the ball."
Engineer recounted a personal exchange following Anderson's omission from England's squad for the 2022 tour of the West Indies after the 0-4 Ashes loss in Australia: "A few years ago, he was dropped from the England team, and he was sitting next to me at (Andrew) Freddie Flintoff's child's ceremony. He was so dejected. I told him: 'Jimmy, you're the best swing bowler in the world, the best swing bowler I have seen. So don't be dejected. I'm sure you'll come back great.'"
Continuing his recollection, Engineer added: "What a comeback it was. He completed 700 wickets in Test cricket. No other English bowler, in fact, no other pace bowler has kept himself fit at the age of 44, 45. So, I think it's time that he called it a day. The way things went about it, you know, he didn't appreciate it," Engineer said.
Speaking on formal recognition at Old Trafford, Engineer pointed to existing dedications and urged a third stand bearing Anderson's name, saying: "At the iconic Old Trafford ground, there's a stand named after Clive Lloyd, there's a stand named after me. Now, the third stand should be called the Jimmy Anderson stand," and added, "He already has a Jimmy's bar. We all have suites in the Hilton Hotel, Farokh Engineer Suite, Clive Lloyd Suite. Anderson should have a stand in his name as well. I'm sure the day is not far when Lancashire will do that. So, here's signing off, it's Farokh Engineer, all the very best," he added.
Engineer concluded by expressing confidence that Lancashire will eventually confer the honour he proposed, saying he expects the county to name a stand after Anderson in due course.
