In a historic moment in Dharamsala, James Anderson etched his name in the annals of cricketing history by becoming the first pace bowler to claim a staggering 700 Test wickets.
Anderson achieved this monumental feat of England's Test match against India, where he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav on the third morning to get to the landmark milestone.
Ashwin joins list of players with 1000 runs and 100 wickets against a team in Tests
The record-breaking moment arrived in the fourth over of the day's play, as Anderson lured Kuldeep into edging a delivery to the wicketkeeper, adding another scalp to his illustrious tally. With this achievement, Anderson joins the elite company of spin maestros Muthiah Muralidaran (800) and Shane Warne (708) as one of only three bowlers to have amassed 700 or more wickets in Test cricket.
Longevity behind James Anderson and 700 Tets wickets
Anderson's feat underscores his unmatched skill and longevity in the fiercely competitive longest format of international cricket. Having made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's in May 2003, Anderson's illustrious career spans nearly 21 years, with the last few years seeing him scale unprecedented heights.
Former England Test captain Alastair Cook, who shared the field with Anderson in 49 Test matches, hailed his teammate's remarkable achievement, emphasizing Anderson's insatiable hunger for success. Cook lauded Anderson's resilience in overcoming physical challenges and highlighted his unparalleled skill as a testament to his extraordinary journey.
Most Test wickets
| PLAYER | WICKETS |
| Muthiah Muralidaran | 800 |
| Shane Warne | 708 |
| James Anderson | 700 |
| Anil Kumble | 619 |
| Stuart Broad | 604 |
The 41-year-old's ascent to 700 Test wickets solidifies his status as a pioneer in seam bowling, with his remarkable tally setting him apart as the most prolific pace bowler in the history of the game. Surpassing the legendary Glenn McGrath's previous record of 563 wickets for a Test seamer, Anderson's feat exemplifies his unrivaled prowess and enduring impact on the sport.
After the Test, Ben Stokes said, “Anderson doesn’t play cricket for milestones. He plays for his team and England. That is why there was that subdued celebration after he picked wicket No.700.”
Bow down to the Swing King! 👑
— JioCinema (@JioCinema) March 9, 2024
James Anderson has become the first pacer to claim 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in Test Cricket. 🙌#IDFCFirstBankTestSeries #BazBowled #INDvENG #JioCinemaSport pic.twitter.com/Rj6iHht5J4
With his long-time England partner Stuart Broad retiring with 604 wickets to his name, Anderson stands nearly 100 wickets clear as the leading seam bowler in Test history, a testament to his unparalleled skill and longevity in the sport.
Anderson expressed gratitude for the support of his teammates, acknowledging the significance of each milestone in his illustrious career.
His 149th dismissal against India further cements his dominance over the formidable opponents, with Anderson's prowess evident in his consistent performance against top-tier cricketing nations.
