James Anderson becomes first England bowler to take 500 Test wickets

James Anderson is now the first England bowler and third pacer overall to complete 500 wickets in Tests.

cricket Updated: Sep 09, 2017 08:49 IST

London

James Anderson is only the third pacer after Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh to take 500 Test wickets. (Action Images via Reuters)

James Anderson became the sixth bowler and first Englishman to take 500 Test wickets when he clean bowled West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite for four on Day 2 of the third Test at Lord’s on Friday. (ENG vs WI Scores)

Anderson began the match on 497 and took the wickets of Brathwaite and Kyle Hope before Ben Stokes ran through the visitors in the first innings with a six-wicket spell.

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After England were bowled out for 194 on Friday, giving them a lead of 71, Anderson took the new ball again and produced an unplayable inswinger to reach the milestone in style.

The 35-year-old received a standing ovation as he joined Sri Lanka’s off spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Australian leg spinner Shane Warne (708), Indian leg spinner Anil Kumble (619), Australian paceman Glenn McGrath (563) and West Indies quickie Courtney Walsh (519) in the 500 club.