James Anderson on Monday has created history and become the first-ever fast bowler in the cricket history to claim 650 wickets in the longest format of the game.
During the ongoing 2nd test between England versus New Zealand, the speedster Anderson achieved this milestone after dismissing the skipper of visitors Tom Latham in the very first over of the 2nd innings.
The 39-year-old swing magician is just the third man ever to achieve this milestone after Muttiah Muralitharan.
The speedster created the record months after he admitted that he was ‘praying’ his international career wasn’t get over when he was dropped for the West Indies tour.
After the completion of day 3 of the second test, New Zealand were 224 for 7, having a 238 lead over the host England.
Earlier New Zealand posted 553 in the first innings, courtesy of Daryl Mitchell and Tom Blundell smashing hundreds. Mitchell missed his double century by just 10 runs as he got out on 190 and Blundell played a knock of 106 both did a 236-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
In reply, England played sensible cricket and put 539 runs on board, just 14 short of New Zealand to make the game more intensive. The stars of England’s innings were Ollie Pope and Joe Root, who both shot centuries to help their side cross 500 mark.
Anderson then started the proceedings with the ball for England and took a wicket of New Zealand’s skipper Lom Latham in the 5th ball of the first over after trapping the captain by his in-swinger.
Last year, Anderson became the third-highest wicket-taker in test after surpassing the legendary Indian spinner Anil Kumble (619).
Highest wickets in tests by pacers:
James Anderson – 650 wickets
Glenn McGrath – 563 wickets
Stuart Broad – 544 wickets
Courtney Walsh – 519 wickets
Dale Steyn – 439 wickets
Kapil Dev – 434 wickets
