England star James Anderson, on Tuesday, became the first fast-bowler to breach the 600-wicket mark in Test cricket. The right-arm pacer endured a frustrating wait before achieving the incredible milestone.
The veteran picked up three quick wickets on Day 2 of the ongoing Test match against Pakistan, two on Day 3, one on Day 4 and then dismissed Azhar Ali on the ongoing Day 5 to complete his tally of 600 Test victims. He achieved the feat more than 17 years after taking his first wicket in the longest format of the game.
James Anderson reached the milestone in his 156th Test match. He had already become the most prolific seam bowler in Test cricket in September 2018, against India, when he picked up a 564th Test wicket to move past Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563. In 2017, he became the first English bowler to 500 Test wickets.
The special moment:
Day five of the match started on a nervous note for James Anderson as well as England as rain and wet outfield threatened to play spoilsport. But play finally resumed after a lengthy delay of more than five hours and James Anderson did not take long to reach 600 wickets.
In just his third over of the day, he made Azhar Ali edge one to Joe Root in the slip. And as soon as Root held the catch, James Anderson’s reaction said it. His reaction made it clear that he was relieved to reach the milestone as he started celebrating the same.
The 38-year old was soon mobbed by his teammates as everyone congratulated him. James Anderson then held the ball high to acknowledge the applause from his teammates as well as others in the ground.
Here is a clip of that special moment:
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Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/fL9aifFjyV#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/jjNlyM1Ty6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 25, 2020
Before James Anderson, only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test wickets), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619) had managed to breach the 600-wicket mark.
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