OTD – James Anderson, aged 38, became the first fast bowler to bag 600 Test wickets in 2020

On August 25 2020, in a historic moment, England’s seasoned pacer James Anderson etched his name in the history of the game. The veteran cricketer became the first pacer to take 600 Test wickets. Anderson, who embarked on his international journey back in 2003, achieved a remarkable feat against Pakistan. Having ended Day Four with 599 wickets, the final day’s proceedings were marred by rain delays.

However, the cricketing gods smiled upon Anderson, and amidst the rain-induced delays, he achieved the monumental feat by dismissing Azhar Ali. The crowd erupted in applause as Anderson became only the fourth bowler in history to cross the 600-wicket mark, joining the esteemed company of Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble.

Anderson’s journey to this milestone was marked not only by his incredible skill but also by his exceptional efficiency. He accomplished the feat second-fastest in terms of balls taken, only behind Muralitharan. Anderson has established himself as one of the best cricketers to ever play the game with an astounding total of 977 wickets across all formats.

James Anderson is the highest wicket-taker for England in ODIs

James Anderson’s career has been remarkable with remarkable achievements, and his Test cricket journey stands out with an astounding 690 wickets under his belt. Notably, Anderson’s dedication to Test cricket has been unwavering since 2015, as he plays only the longest format of the game. Anderson is the only pacer to breach the 600-wicket mark in this format.

Furthermore, his remarkable skills have also contributed to his tally of 269 ODI wickets, the highest for any English player in the one-day format. Meanwhile, he has 18 wickets in T20 internationals too. As the cricketing world celebrated Anderson’s exceptional achievement, it was a day that immortalized his name among the cricketing greats. His journey from a young debutant in 2003 to becoming the first pacer to cross the 600-wicket threshold is a testament to his skill, dedication, and unwavering passion for the sport.