James Anderson: A Bowling Great Achieves This Unique Milestone

James Anderson, the evergreen pacer from England, has cemented his place among the legends of cricket. On Saturday, he achieved a remarkable feat – becoming the first fast bowler in history to take 700 wickets in Test cricket. This puts him in a prestigious group of only three bowlers to ever reach this milestone.

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James Anderson’s journey began back in 2002 when he made his Test debut for England. Since then, his swing bowling has troubled batsmen across the globe. Now, at the age of 41 (turning 42 in July this year), he has reached the pinnacle of wicket-taking pacers.

Another jewel in the crown of James Anderson 👑

➡️ https://t.co/NclpXwxcNa
#WTC25 | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JV12NGobAB

— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2024

The historic moment unfolded during the fifth and final Test match against India in Dharamsala. While India dominated the first innings with the bat, Anderson did manage to pick up 2 crucial wickets – Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav – conceding only 60 runs in his 16 overs.

This achievement adds another feather to Anderson’s already impressive cap. He currently holds the record for most wickets in Tests for England, with a staggering 700 wickets in 187 matches. These wickets have come at an impressive average of 26.52, meaning he dismisses a batsman for less than 27 runs on average. Additionally, his strike rate of 56.9 indicates he takes a wicket roughly every 57 deliveries.

James Anderson Bowling Career

	M	Inn	Runs	Wkts	BBI	BBM	Econ	Avg	SR	5W	10W
Test	187	348	18568	700	7/42	11/71	2.79	26.53	56.97	32	3
ODI	194	191	7861	269	5/23	5/23	4.92	29.22	35.63	2	0
T20I	19	19	552	18	3/23	3/23	7.85	30.67	23.44	0	0

The veteran bowler has also achieved the coveted 5-wicket haul a remarkable 32 times in his Test career, showcasing his ability to dismantle batting lineups. He has even managed the even more challenging feat of taking ten wickets in a single match on three occasions. His best bowling figures in an innings stand at a phenomenal 7/42, a testament to his ability to wreak havoc on a batting order.

While Anderson’s overall record speaks for itself, it’s worth noting his recent performance in India. Although England hasn’t had the smoothest series, Anderson has claimed 10 wickets in the 4 Tests he has played so far.

JAMES ANDERSON COMPLETED 700 WICKETS IN TEST…!!!! 🫡

– One of the greatest moment in cricket history. pic.twitter.com/7mOu9LzMjo

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 9, 2024

Looking at the broader picture, Anderson sits just behind two spin-bowling legends in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers. Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan remains at the top with a staggering 800 wickets in 133 matches, followed by the late Australian great Shane Warne with 708 wickets in 145 matches. Anderson is now within touching distance of surpassing Warne for the second spot.

Anderson’s accomplishment serves as a reminder that fast bowlers can be just as dominant as spinners in the longer format of the game. His longevity, skill, and unwavering dedication have earned him a well-deserved place in cricket history. As he continues his career, cricket fans eagerly await to see if he can break the record and become the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket.