Decoding numbers of James Anderson in Test cricket
Pace spearhead James Anderson gave an ideal exhibition of reverse swing in England's latest Test victory against India at the Chepauk Stadium. He took a total of five wickets as the visitors won the match by 227 runs. His spell in the second innings on a tricky Chennai pitch completely disarrayed the Indian batsmen. Let us decode Anderson's numbers in Test cricket.
Most successful fast bowler in Test cricket
After his match haul of five wickets against India, Anderson now has a total of 611 wickets in Test cricket at an average of 26.49. He is the most successful fast bowler in Test history, having left behind Glenn Australian maestro Glenn McGrath (563). Overall, Anderson is the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the format after Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619)
First Englishman to register 30 five-fors in Test cricket
Anderson recently scripted history by registering his 30th five-wicket haul in Test cricket. He achieved the milestone on Day 2 of the second Test against Sri Lanka. Anderson surpassed the historic tally of McGrath, who took 29 five-fors in his Test career. He became the first Englishman and second overall pacer after Sir Richard Hadlee to record 30 or more five-wicket hauls.
First fast bowler to 600 Test wickets
In 2020, Anderson became the first-ever fast bowler to take 600 wickets in Test cricket. Overall, he became only the fourth bowler to enter the 600-wicket club. Interestingly, Anderson was the second-fastest to this milestone in terms of balls (33,717). He is separated from top-ranked Muralitharan (33,711) by mere six balls. Meanwhile, Warne and Kumble took 34,920 and 38,494 balls respectively.
His performance in The Ashes
In The Ashes, Anderson is one of the eight England players to take 100 wickets. Among the active English cricketers, Anderson is the second-highest wicket-taker in the series. Anderson, who has 104 wickets in The Ashes, is only behind Stuart Broad (118) on this tally.
Most wickets by a fast bowler in home Tests
Anderson is the second-highest wicket-taker and highest among fast bowlers in home conditions. He owns 384 wickets from 89 home Tests at a phenomenal average of 23.83. The tally is led by Muralitharan, who owns 493 scalps. Besides, Anderson is also the leading wicket-taker from England in Tests played away from home. He has picked up 205 wickets at 32.10 in away Tests.
Anderson set to complete 900 international wickets
Anderson could accomplish another significant feat in the second Test against India. He could become the sixth bowler and first from England to complete 900 wickets across formats. The English fast bowler currently has 898 international wickets to his name from 371 matches at 27.39. The top five on the list are Muralitharan (1,347), Warne (1,001), Kumble (956), McGrath (949) and Wasim Akram (916).
