James Anderson enters 600 wickets club in Tests; becomes fourth bowler to do so

Southampton: England fast bowler James Anderson became the first pacer in the history of Test cricket to take 600 wickets, in the third Test against Pakistan on Tuesday.

Anderson is overall the fourth bowler to take 600 or more Test wickets, behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619).

The 38-year-old achieved the feat on the fifth and final day of the third Test against Pakistan at Southampton, dismissing the visiting captain Azhar Ali for 31. The Test ended in a draw, with Pakistan managing to reach 187/4 in their second innings, following on after being bowled out for 273 in their first innings. England had declared their first innings for 583/8.

The hosts, thus, won the three-match series 1-0, having won the first Test in Manchester by three wickets. The rain-interrupted second Test at Southampton had ended in a draw.

Anderson, who is playing in his 156th test, was lauded by Kumble on Twitter soon after his monumental feat. "Massive effort from a great fast bowler," the former India leg spinner tweeted. "Welcome to the club."

Not playing white-ball cricket since 2015 has allowed him to focus his energy and fitness toward the longer format. The extended break to the cricket season because of the pandemic gave Anderson more time to rest his aging body.

Just this month, Anderson said he has no plans to retire and has his sights set on the Ashes which is going to held next year.