- Anderson achieved the milestone when he dismissed India’s Kuldeep Yadav
- The 41-year-old’s Test career for England spanned 21 years and 187 matches
- Ben Stokes said this week that he saw no reason why Anderson should slow down
Jimmy Anderson has reached the milestone of 700 Test wickets in the latest embellishment of an extraordinary England career.
The 41-year-old took the scalp of Indian Kuldeep Yadav, who was caught behind the stumps for 30 runs by Ben Foakes, having earlier bowled Shubman Gill for his 699th Test wicket during the innings.
Anderson – backed this week by his captain Ben Stokes to play in the next Ashes series in 18 months – is third on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.
Only spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka on 800 wickets and Australian Shane Warne on 708 are 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 more than 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 fast bowler dismissed Kuldeep Yadav to claim the milestone of his extraordinary career
“It’s a great achievement,” Sir Alastair Cook said on TNT Sports.
“His hunger to improve and win cricket matches for England is incredible. The physical challenges he has overcome to play nearly 190 Test matches are a joke and his skills are a joke.”
His milestone wicket was a rare bright spot 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 got back into the action and hit back with a dismal score of 113-6, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes and Foakes all dismissed before going behind on day three.
It came after Stokes said this week that he ‘can’t see Anderson quitting’ as his body continues to withstand the rigors of Test cricket.
“It’s phenomenal to think that Jimmy is taking 700 wickets,” the England skipper said on Wednesday. “He’s had a great career and I just don’t see him stopping.
Anderson – backed this week by his captain Ben Stokes to play in the next Ashes series in 18 months – is third on the all-time Test wicket-takers list
Anderson has played 187 Test matches for England in an international career spanning two decades
Anderson celebrates his first Test wicket, that of Zimbabwe’s Mark Vermeulen in 2003
‘I’ve been playing with Jimmy for a long time and have never seen him as physically fit as he is now.
“Showing his hunger and desire at the age of 41 to get better every day is a testament to his attitude and dedication to the game.”
Stokes admitted he would not be surprised if Anderson featured in another Ashes series when England play Down Under in November next year.