James Anderson Breaks Glenn McGrath's Record For Most Wickets By A Fast Bowler In International Cricket

After England declared their first innings, South Africa fought valiantly on the second evening to reach 23 for 0 at the end. Their captain and linchpin Dean Elgar, who was brilliantly outfoxed by Anderson, fell within 15 minutes of the game’s restart on the third day. The wicket meant Anderson tied with Glenn McGrath for the most prolific seamer across formats with 949 wickets.

Anderson only needed four deliveries to set Elgar up and send him on his way for the sixth time in Test cricket after opening from his very own End at his home ground.

South Africa looked destined for a quick demise after giving up a significant first-innings deficit of 264 when they lost their first three wickets within 14 overs of the morning session. Petersen and van der Dussen, however, focused on their survival in the first place as they fought out a 42.2-over stand that, by tea, had lowered the deficit to 123. Rassie van der Dussen and Keegan Petersen put together a defiant unbroken stand of 87 despite the pain from Rassie’s fractured left index finger.

James Anderson Has Brought England Close To Victory

South did not lose a single wicket in between lunch and tea. Although a wicketless session was frustrating, England’s control over the match did not exactly loosen. Ben Stokes was able to rotate his seamers with attacking fields because his spinner, Jack Leach, bowled dry from the James Anderson End and only allowed 19 runs to be scored in his 19-over spell.

After tea, however, South Africa lost their way as Ben Stokes got two wickets and with the new ball, Anderson picked a couple more to make the result quite apparent. In the process, he also surpassed Mcgrath’s record.

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