Cook ranks Anderson alongside Steyn, says England pacer possesses more skill

Ahead of the fifth and final Test against India, England captain Alastair Cook has said that fast bowler James Anderson ranks alongside South Africa's world number one Dale Steyn and possesses more skill.

Anderson needs eight wickets to move past Ian Botham's English test record of 383 and whether or not he achieves that at The Oval starting on Friday, Cook is in no doubt that the paceman belongs alongside the very best.

Cook said that it is an amazing achievement, while confirming that Anderson's opening partner Stuart Broad would be fit for the series decider despite sustaining a broken nose in the last test, Sport24 reported.

The skipper said that if Anderson does achieve that milestone in the final Test it would mean England is in a very strong position. He added that no disrespect to Steyn in terms of actual skill, but the way that Anderson can swing the ball both ways he does not feel that the South African pacer does that quite as well although Steyn has the advantage of being able to bowl quicker.

Cook said that one would put both Anderson and Steyn in the same class.

England have emerged from a dismal sequence of 10 test matches without a win to come from 1-0 down against India to lead 2-1 after emphatic victories in Southampton and Manchester, the report added.