Dale Steyn, a former cricket player from South Africa, has publicly backed James Anderson after the latter’s 2025 Hundred debut was a lacklustre performance. In his allotted 20 deliveries for Manchester Originals versus Southern Brave at the Old Trafford, the 43-year-old let up 36 runs.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, Steyn voiced his thoughts and even stated his hope that a SA20 team will sign the veteran for the next campaign. Steyn’s post’s comments section, however, did not quite elicit the same feelings. Many believed that Anderson should not be benching a promising young player since he is not nearly up to par for such fast-paced cricket.
I’d buy Jimmy in the SA20
Unfortunately I’m not a coach anymore. Hope he still gets a gig if he wants it.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 6, 2025
It’s interesting to note how neatly Anderson began with the ball before becoming the second-oldest player to play in The Hundred. In the second innings, he let up just 10 runs in a series of deliveries. Jason Roy crashed at Anderson to hammer a couple of fours sandwiched with a maximum, causing the maximum damage to be inflicted on the last three balls of James Anderson final set.
In the end, Manchester Originals lost the match by one ball and one wicket. The visiting team’s victory was secured by Craig Overton’s undefeated eight-ball 18; Scott Currie’s four-wicket haul (4/28 in 20 balls) was in vain.
One hundred 2025: A fox enters the field, stopping play.
X’s response to James Anderson premiere in The Hundred was as follows:
43-year-young James Anderson is all set to turn up today for his first Hundred game in front of his home crowd 💯 pic.twitter.com/EIX46uMNB2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 6, 2025
43-year-young James Anderson is all set to turn up today for his first Hundred game in front of his home crowd 💯 pic.twitter.com/EIX46uMNB2
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) August 6, 2025
I’d buy Jimmy in the SA20
Unfortunately I’m not a coach anymore. Hope he still gets a gig if he wants it.
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) August 6, 2025
At 43 years, 7 days,
James Anderson might become the oldest franchise cricket debutant today. pic.twitter.com/B1fP5fQvqG
— Aman Patel (@lilbrownykid) August 6, 2025
India
