James Anderson Joins An Elusive List As He Claims 900 International Wickets

England veteran seamer James Anderson seems not to slow down at all as the fast bowling machine works relentlessly for wickets. On day two of the fourth Test against India in Ahmedabad, James Anderson claimed his 900th international wicket by dismissing India’s Test vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. By doing so, he joined an elite list of bowlers.

While James Anderson has a widespread reputation of doing well only in conditions that assist swing, the 38-year old has done equally well in India in the current series. The Lancashire seamer has bagged crucial wickets to peg the hosts back, reiterating his importance in England’s Test setup. As the only frontline seamer in the fourth and final Test, he kept the pressure on by hardly giving away runs and asking plenty of questions to the Indian batsmen.

James Anderson opened the floodgates for England by removing Shubman Gill at the fag-end of day one while also delivering five consecutive maidens. The right-arm seamer bowled long spells on day two, maintaining the pressure by consistently bowling in the channel to Rohit Sharma, who top-scored for India. The last ball before lunch witnessed Anderson dismissing Ajinkya Rahane just as it felt that the hosts were running away with the game.

James Anderson becomes only the third paceman to take 900 international wickets:

By taking 900 international wickets, James Anderson also became only the third paceman to do so, joining Wasim Akram (916 and Glenn McGrath (949). The record for the most international wickets is held by Muttiah Muralitharan with 1347 scalps, followed by Shane Warne (1001, and Anil Kumble (956). Anderson already is the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Tests, picking up 613 victims.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma Becomes The First Opener To Reach 1000 Runs In The ICC World Test Championship