James Anderson becomes first English bowler to scalp 500 wickets in Test cricket

England seamer James Anderson became only the sixth bowler in Test history to scalp 500 Test wickets. Anderson got to the milestone on Day 2 of the third Test between England and West Indies at Lord’s.

Anderson rocked the West Indies top order in the first session of Day 1 by accounting for both the West Indian openers. But he could not reach the landmark of 500 Test wickets and needed just 1 more wicket to do that.

On day two, with the wicket of Kraigg Brathwaite, he become England’s first bowler to reach the milestone and just the third fast bowler and sixth bowler overall.

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Anderson is hailed by cricket pundits as the best swing bowler of his generation. He has led the English pace attack with distinction over the last decade.

Anderson became England's leading Test wicket-taker in 2016 when he surpassed English all-rounder Ian Botham's mark of 383 Test wickets.

In the history of Test cricket, only six bowlers have taken 500 or more Test wickets. The elite list comprises of spin wizards Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619) and seamers Glen McGrath (563) and Courtney Walsh (519).