Former India wicketkeeper Farokh Engineer has hailed James Anderson as the best swing bowler he has seen and believes the retired England pacer deserves a stand in his name at Old Trafford, Lancashire's home ground.

Anderson's 25-year association with Lancashire recently came to an end after the county confirmed that it would not offer the 44-year-old a new contract. Engineer feels the club should recognise Anderson's contribution by naming a stand after him, alongside those dedicated to Clive Lloyd and Engineer himself.

"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.

Engineer also enjoyed a long stint with Lancashire, representing the county between 1968 and 1976. He scored 5,942 runs in 175 matches, took 429 catches and completed 35 stumpings.

"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," he added.

The 88-year-old also recalled a conversation with Anderson after the fast bowler was left out of England's squad for the 2022 tour of the West Indies, following the team's 0-4 Ashes defeat 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.'

"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.

Anderson retired from international cricket in July 2024, finishing with 704 wickets in 188 Tests. His final Test appearance came against the West Indies at Lord's.

Engineer, who had a stand named after him at Old Trafford last year, said Lancashire should give Anderson similar recognition for his service to the county.

"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," Engineer said.

"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.

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