The legendary James Anderson became the third bowler to take 700 wickets in Test cricket when he dismissed Kuldeep Yadav on Day 3 of the fifth Test between India and England in Dharamsala.
The fans present at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala witnessed a monumental moment as Anderson became the first pacer to enter the 700 Test wickets club on Saturday, March 9. He joins Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in the prestigious club. While the Sri Lankan off-spinner is the highest wicket-taker of all time in the format with 800 wickets, the late great Shane Warne finished with 708 scalps.
Anderson, who is playing his 400th international encounter, took his 699th wicket on Day 2 as he dismissed a well-set Shubman Gill. The Punjab batter was batting on 110 when he was castled by a ball that sneaked in through the gap between his bat and pad and took out his off-stump.
In the 124th over of the Indian innings on Day 3, Anderson bowled a bouncer to Kuldeep and followed it up with a trademark away swinger. Kuldeep poked at the widish delivery and got a healthy nick through to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes. The England players rushed toward the veteran pacer and celebrated the special moment. The fans in attendance gave a rousing reception to the 41-year-old after he achieved the remarkable feat.
In the following over, Shoaib Bashir picked up the wicket of Jasprit Bumrah to get India bowled out for 477. This was also the off-spinner’s fifth wicket in the innings. As the England team were walking off the field, Anderson, who was leading them out, insisted that Bashir should go ahead of him. The youngster, who wasn’t even born when Anderson made his Test debut, seemed to suggest that the two of them leave the field together. India finished with a huge first-innings lead of 255 runs.
Also Read: IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma does not take field on day 3 of Dharamshala Test due to stiff back
Here’s how ‘X’ users reacted to James Anderson’s surreal achievement:
700 wickets in tests, to put into perspective, out of all the overs you’ve bowled, 116.4 overs have been wickets.
Well done @jimmy9!#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/erQ6VTyLWP
— DK (@DineshKarthik) March 9, 2024
Massive respect Jamie Anderson .700 wickets and still strong at age 41 💪🏾.Congratulations!!
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 9, 2024
The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over the ball looked special.
Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, “Maine bola tha” — that he had called it so early. 😀
700 test wickets is a stellar… pic.twitter.com/GijfRXYvoY
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 9, 2024
What a great bowler @jimmy9 !Congratulations on your 700 test wickets. Monumental effort! A true testament of fitness, passion for the game and skill! Well done 👏🙌 #INDvENG
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) March 9, 2024
An exemplary example of Longevity, skill and fitness..doff your hat to The Burnley Express …Jimbo scales 700 .. Absolutely Brilliant from a 41 year old to still have that kind of a desire…
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali) March 9, 2024
He loves to bowl & bowl & bowl. 700 is just by-product of his great skills.
One of the greats of the game, to whom we owe eternal gratitude for enriching this sport of ours.
Thanks Jimmy Anderson. 🙇🙇🙇
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) March 9, 2024
HISTORICAL DAY!
James Anderson becomes the third bowler and first pacer to pick 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in Test Cricket pic.twitter.com/8QAwrbwX0X
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 9, 2024
▶️ First-ever pacer to pick 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in Tests
▶️ First-ever England bowler to take 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in Tests.
▶️ Third bowler in history to pick 7️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ wickets in Tests.
The name is 𝐉𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 pic.twitter.com/s4CPwqOcrY
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) March 9, 2024
Another jewel in the crown of James Anderson 👑
➡️ https://t.co/NclpXwxcNa
#WTC25 | #INDvENG pic.twitter.com/JV12NGobAB
— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2024
A milestone so rare, becoming the first pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets! A testament to his perseverance. 👏🏼👏🏼 #JamesAnderson #TestCricket #700Club pic.twitter.com/MI2ne4MjAW
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) March 9, 2024
Massive congratulations to @jimmy9 for reaching the extraordinary milestone of 700 Test wickets.#JamesAnderson #INDvENG #INDvsENG #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/U3yoCcrcKT
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) March 9, 2024