ENG vs IND: James Anderson Goes Past Anil Kumble, Becomes Third Highest Wicket-Taker

Cricket Image for ENG vs IND: James Anderson Goes Past Anil Kumble, Becomes Third Highest Wicket-Tak (Image Source: Google)

England pace bowler James Anderson overtook former India leg-spinner Anil Kumble to become the third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history on Friday. The pace bowler got KL Rahul on the third day of the first Test for his 620th scalp, to go past Kumble.

Soon after that, he got rid of Shardul Thakur to take his 621st Test scalp. The veteran bowler has played the most Test matches for England, having surpassed former England opener Alastair Cook during the series against New Zealand in June.

He is into his 163rd Test and by the time the five-Test series against India ends -- assuming he plays all games -- he is likely to be one short of 168 Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting's tally of 168 Tests. Only Sachin Tendulkar, with 200 Tests, has played more.

In the list of top wicket-takers in Test cricket, he is the only pacer to have gone past 600 wickets. Those above him are both spinners -- former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne and ex-Sri Lanka off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

No wonder his achievement left former England footballer Gary Lineker thrilled. "Oh Jimmy Jimmy, Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Jimmy Anderson. What a bowler is @jimmy9," tweeted Lineker.

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