England pacer James Anderson on Saturday became the first fast bowler to claim 700 Test wickets. The 41-year-old achieved the feat during Day 3 of the ongoing 5th Test against India in Dharamsala. Anderson dismissed Kuldeep Yadav early in the morning session, becoming only the third bowler to claim 700 or more Test wickets. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) took more Test wickets than Anderson (700). On day 2, Anderson had cleaned up Shubman Gill to move to 699 Test wickets.
In the 147-year history of test cricket, which started from 1877, Anderson is the first pacer to take 700 wickets.
In India's first innings, Anderson managed to take 2/60 in 16 overs, at an economy rate of 3.75. He got the wickets of Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav.
Anderson, who made his Test debut for England back in 2002, now has 700 wickets in 187 Test matches. 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. His best bowling figures in an inning are 7/42.
He is England's highest wicket-taking bowler in Tests. Overall, in international cricket, he is behind Sri Lanka's spin legend Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets in 133 matches) and the late Australian spin great Shane Warne (708 wickets in 145 matches).
Anderson has had a fine outing in India this year. In four Tests he has played, Anderson has taken 10 wickets at an average of 33.5, with the best bowling figures of 3/47.
Meanwhile, India were bowled out for 477 in their first innings. They led England by 259 runs.
