English pacer James Anderson made history by becoming the first pacer to reach 700 wickets in Test cricket. In addition, he is now the third bowler to achieve this feat. He trails the late Australian Shane Warne (708 wickets) and spinner Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (800 wickets).
“James Anderson: English Pacer Makes History with 700 Test Wickets”
This incredible milestone was reached by the English pacer, who will turn 42 in July, on March 9, during Day 3 of the fifth and final Test in Dharamshala. On day three of the 187th Test, Anderson removed Kuldeep Yadav of India to reach the milestone.
After making his Test debut for England in 2002, Anderson has amassed 700 wickets in 187 Tests. He has amassed 32 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls at an average of 26.52 and a strike rate of 56.9. His 7/42 bowling average during an inning is his best. The “swing king” Anderson is known for his ability to swing the ball both ways; in Test cricket, he averages under 27 and has taken 32 five-wicket hauls.
James Anderson becomes 1st pacer and 3rd bowler to take 700 test wickets, Sachin Tendulkar calls it ‘simply magnificent’ on it#INDvENG #JamesAnderson #700Wickets #SachinTendulkar #PowerCorridors pic.twitter.com/lkOec0DZrj
— POWER CORRIDORS (@power_corridors) March 9, 2024
He is the most wicket-taking bowler for England in Test matches. Overall, he trails the great spin duo Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (800 wickets in 133 matches) and the late Australian great Shane Warne (708 wickets in 145 matches) in international cricket.
A Tribute to 700 Test Wickets
When Sachin Tendulkar watched Anderson play against Australia in 2002, he talked about his initial impression of the player. On X, he wrote. “The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over the ball looked special. Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, “Maine bola tha” — that he had called it so early. 700 test wickets is a stellar achievement. A fast bowler playing for 22 years and performing so consistently to be able to take 700 wickets would have sounded like fiction until Anderson actually made it happen. Simply magnificent! #INDvENG.”
The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over the ball looked special.
Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, “Maine bola tha” — that he had called it so early. 😀
700 test wickets is a stellar… pic.twitter.com/GijfRXYvoY
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 9, 2024
Describing his accomplishment as amazing Harsh Bhogle said, “When you take 700 wickets, you inhabit the stars. This is simply phenomenal from Jimmy Anderson.”
When you take 700 wickets, you inhabit the stars. This is simply phenomenal from Jimmy Anderson.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 9, 2024
