Veteran England pace bowler James Anderson became only the third bowler to complete 700 wickets in Tests during the fifth Test match between India and England in Dharamsala on Saturday as well. Legendary Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne are the only other bowlers to have reached this feat.

However, James Anderson started the match with 698 wickets and dismissed Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav during India’s first innings to achieve the record as well. It is also noteworthy that, Anderson is already the leading Test wicket-taker among pacers, after surpassing Glenn Mcgrath’s tally of 563 during the Oval Test against India in 2018.

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Most Test wickets in history

Muttiah Muralitharan – 800
Shane Warne – 708
James Anderson – 700*
Anil Kumble – 619
Stuart Broad – 604

Most Test wickets for England

James Anderson – 700*
Stuart Broad – 604
Ian Botham – 383
Bob Willis – 325
Fred Trueman – 307

However, James Anderson made his Test debut for England way back in 2002 and now has 700 wickets in 187 Test matches as well. These have come at an average of 26.52 and a strike rate of 56.9, with 32 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls to his name as well. His best bowling figures in an inning are 7/42 so far. He is also called the “swing king” for his ability to move the ball both ways and James Anderson averages under 27 and has 32 five-wicket hauls in the longer format as well.

Meanwhile, James Anderson’s former Test captain, Alastair Cook, who is currently working as an expert for TNT Sports, paid tribute to his skill and longevity.

“It is a superb achievement,” Cook said, having led Anderson in 49 of his Test appearances. “His hunger to get better and win games of cricket for England is unbelievable. The physical challenges he has overcome to be able to play nearly 190 Test matches is a joke and his skill is a joke.”