England vs India 2021: James Anderson Becomes The First Fast Bowler and Fourth Bowler Overall To Bowl 35000 Deliveries in Test Cricket

In the second Test match against India at Lord’s, English pacer James Anderson completed 35000 deliveries in the longest format of the game. He becomes the first pacer to do so, and the fourth bowler overall to reach the landmark. He is already England’s leading wicket-taker in both Tests and ODI’s.

Prior to him, spin wizards Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble, and Shane Warne reached the feat. Anderson took 164 matches to get past the mark, and he continues to set new benchmarks for fast bowlers in Test cricket. His longevity is second to none, having debuted for England way back in 2002.

He had recently overtaken Kumble in the highest wicket-takers list, going past the Indian legend with his four-wicket haul in the first Test against at Trent Bridge. In a career spanning almost two decades, Anderson is already the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers, Glenn McGrath coming in at a distant second with 563 wickets.

Despite James Anderson’s late burst, Team India go to Tea with their noses in front

The second Test got underway with Joe Root opting to bowl first under cloudy conditions. The decision backfired quite spectacularly, as the Indian openers Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul fended off a new-ball Test before putting up a brilliant 100-run stand. Rohit looked his usual composed self and managed to get past those nervous 30’s he has been prone to.

It looked like he would finally break his overseas century jinx but Anderson was brought back into the attack and he provided the breakthrough. Rohit was bowled by an inswinging delivery from the 39-year-old, but not before putting India in a position of strength with his 83. Soon, Anderson removed Cheteshwar Pujara as well, whose batting woes continue.

At Tea, India were 150/2, with Rahul having reached his second half-century of the series and Virat Kohli at the other end. The platform is set for the Indian captain to finally go big and get that elusive hundred. The third session is perfectly set up to be a compelling one, with England looking to wrestle back into the match.

Also Read – “It’s A Great Toss To Lose For India” – VVS Laxman On The Lord’s Test