- Anderson reached the milestone when he dismissed India’s Kuldeep Yadav.
- The 41-year-old’s Test career with England has spanned 21 years and 187 matches.
- Ben Stokes said this week that he saw no reason why Anderson should slow down.
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Jimmy Anderson has achieved the milestone of 700 Test wickets in the latest flourish of an extraordinary England career.
The 41-year-old took the scalp of India’s Kuldeep Yadav, who was caught behind the stumps by Ben Foakes for 30 runs, having previously bowled Shubman Gill for his 699th Test wicket during the innings.
Anderson, backed by his captain Ben Stokes this week to play in the next Ashes series in 18 months, is third on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.
Only Sri Lankan spinners Muttiah Muralitharan with 800 wickets and Australia’s Shane Warne with 708 rank above Anderson’s 700, making him the first seamer to achieve the feat.
Anderson has shown astonishing longevity in a Test career that has spanned more than two decades and 187 matches since his debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003.
Jimmy Anderson took his 699th and 700th wickets in Test cricket on the third day of England’s fifth Test against India
The bowler dismissed Kuldeep Yadav to claim the milestone of his extraordinary career.
“It’s a magnificent achievement,” said Sir Alastair Cook on TNT Sports.
‘His hunger to improve and win cricket matches for England is incredible. The physical challenges he has overcome to be able to play almost 190 Test matches are a joke and his ability is a joke.’
His milestone was a rare bright spot for England on the third day of a fifth Test that is fast slipping away from them as India posted a commanding first innings lead of 477 in Dharamshala.
England took up the bat again and hit back with a dismal score of 113-6, with Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Jonny Bairstow, Stokes and Foakes all dismissed before stumps on the third day.
It came after Stokes said this week that “I can’t see Anderson stopping” as his body continues to withstand the rigors of Test cricket.
“It’s phenomenal to think Jimmy will reach 700 wickets,” the England captain said on Wednesday. “He’s had an incredible career and I don’t see him stopping.
Anderson, backed by his captain Ben Stokes this week to play in the next Ashes series in 18 months, is third on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.
Anderson has played 187 Test matches for England in an international career that has spanned 20 years.
Anderson celebrates his first Test wicket, that of Zimbabwe’s Mark Vermeulen in 2003.
“I’ve played with Jimmy for a long time and I’ve never seen him in such good physical shape as he is now.
“Showing hunger and desire at 41 years old to improve every day is a testament to his attitude and commitment to the game.”
Stokes admitted he would not be surprised if Anderson featured in another Ashes series when England head to Australia in November next year.