News by “Sana Ullah”
DHARAMSALA: England’s veteran pace bowler James Anderson achieved a significant milestone in Test cricket during the fifth Test against India here on Saturday.
The 41-year-old speedster reached his 700th wicket when he had Kuldeep Yadav caught behind on the third day, becoming only the third bowler to achieve this feat.
Anderson also made history as the first pacer to claim 700 Test wickets, trailing only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) of Sri Lanka and the late Shane Warne (708 wickets) of Australia.
Starting the series just 10 wickets shy of the landmark, Anderson accomplished the feat in his 187th Test match, while Muralitharan achieved it in 113 matches.
The veteran cricketer, who debuted in 2003 against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, holds a remarkable career spanning nearly two decades. He claimed his first Test wicket by dismissing Mark Vermeulen and has since maintained an average of under 27 with 32 five-wicket hauls.
Anderson’s historic achievement was followed by Shoaib Bashir dismissing Jasprit Bumrah to bowl India out for 477.
England, trailing by 259 runs in their second innings, were 103-5 at lunch on day three at Dharamsala stadium.
Ravichandran Ashwin, celebrating his 100th Test, made significant contributions with four wickets, including the dismissal of skipper Ben Stokes for two just before lunch. Joe Root remained unbeaten on 34.
