- Anderson reached the milestone when he dismissed India’s Kuldeep Yadav
- 41-year-old’s Test career for England has spanned 21 years and 187 games
- Ben Stokes said this week he saw no reason why Anderson should slow down
Jimmy Anderson has achieved the landmark of 700 Test wickets in the latest embellishment to a extraordinary England career.
The 41-year-old took the scalp of India’s Kuldeep Yadav, who was caught behind the stumps by Ben Foakes for 30 runs, having previously bowled Shubman Gill for his 699th Test wicket during the innings.
Anderson – backed by his captain Ben Stokes this week to be playing in the next Ashes series in 18 months’ time – sits third on the all-time list of Test wicket takers.
Only the spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka with 800 wickets and Australia’s Shane Warne on 708 rank above Anderson’s 700, making him the first seamer to achieve the feat.
Anderson has shown astonishing longevity in a Test career that has spanned over two decades and 187 matches since his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003.
Jimmy Anderson took his 699th and 700th wickets in Test cricket on Day Three of England’s fifth test against India
The pace bowler dismissed Kuldeep Yadav to claim the milestone of his extraordinary career
‘It is a superb achievement,’ said Sir Alastair Cook on TNT Sports.
‘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.’
His milestone wicket was a rare bright point for England on the third day of a fifth Test that is quickly running away from them as India posted a commanding first innings lead of 477 in Dharamshala.
England stepped back in to bat, to hit back with a dismal score of 113-6, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes and Foakes were all dismissed before stumps on Day Three.
It came after Stokes this week said he ‘can’t see Anderson stopping’ as his body continues to withstand the rigours of Test cricket.
‘It’s phenomenal to think of Jimmy coming up to 700 wickets,’ the England skipper said on Wednesday. ‘He’s had an amazing career and I just can’t see him stopping.
Anderson – backed by his captain Ben Stokes this week to be playing in the next Ashes series in 18 months’ time – sits third on the all-time list of Test wicket takers
Anderson has played 187 Test matches for England in an international career that has spanned 20 years
Anderson celebrates his first Test wicket, that of Zimbabwe’s Mark Vermeulen back in 2003
We are so lucky to be witnessing utter greatness
An unfathomable achievement built of unrivalled skill, longevity and absolute dedication
Congratulations, @jimmy9
pic.twitter.com/fFuDPCoaap
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) March 9, 2024
‘I have played with Jimmy for a long time and I’ve never seen him as physically fit as he is now.
‘Showing hunger and desire at 41 to get better every single day is testament to his attitude and commitment to the game.’
Stokes admitted he wouldn’t be surprised if Anderson features in another Ashes series when England head Down Under in November next year.
