As the cricketing world prepares to honour the career of England's iconic fast bowler James Anderson, all-rounder Moeen Ali gives loving respect to his former teammates. Speaking before Anderson's farewell test against the West Indies at Lord's on July 10, Ali stated that the cricket world will never see another player like him.

James Anderson's career has been nothing short of extraordinary. In an era where fast bowlers often struggle with fitness and longevity, Anderson has defied the odds. With 700 Test wickets in 187 matches, he stands as the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers in the history of Test cricket. Only spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne have taken more wickets in the longest format.

Moeen Ali highlighted the uniqueness of Anderson's achievements, stating, "This week at the Lord’s is about celebrating his massive achievements with the ball. New guys will step up, but there is no point talking about who will fill Jimmy’s boots because they will never be. Quite simply, 700 Test wickets with one game to go, there cannot be another Jimmy, especially the way the sport is going.”

Ali also pointed out Anderson's remarkable ability to perform consistently even at the age of 42, noting his recent seven-wicket haul for Lancashire. "It is a massive shame it has to end because, even now, coming up to 42, he can still bowl as well as he ever has. Just look at that seven-wicket haul for Lancashire last week. If he played for the whole summer, he would get a load more wickets,” wrote Ali in his column for The Guardian.

Reflecting on his time with Anderson in the England team, Moeen Ali expressed his gratitude for having shared the dressing room with such a legendary cricketer. “There were times during my Test career, sitting in the dressing room reflecting on things quietly when I almost could not believe how lucky I was to be in the same England team as Jimmy Anderson. He really is a once-in-a-generation cricketer and, in my mind, the greatest seam bowler of all time.”

Despite Anderson's anticipated retirement, Moeen Ali believes that his experience and knowledge should not go to waste. “It would be silly if English cricket let that knowledge go to waste and it is good Jimmy will mentor the Test bowlers for the rest of the summer, even after this last match at Lord’s. Who knows, perhaps it won’t be his last. As someone who has retired from Test cricket more than once, my advice would be never say never,” he concluded.