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In a historic moment for cricket, James Anderson, England’s prolific fast bowler, etched his name in the annals of the sport by becoming the first seam bowler to reach the milestone of 700 Test wickets. His remarkable feat was achieved during the fifth Test match against India at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala.
Landmark moment in cricket history
The historic breakthrough occurred on Day 3 of the Test match when Anderson coaxed Kuldeep Yadav into an edge, securing his 700th scalp. This achievement further solidified Anderson’s stature as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
A legacy of excellence
Anderson’s journey to 700 wickets has been nothing short of extraordinary. Since making his Test debut in 2003, he has consistently tormented batters with his immaculate seam bowling and relentless accuracy. His ability to swing the ball both ways with finesse has earned him plaudits from fans and critics alike.
Elite company
By reaching the 700-wicket mark, Anderson joined an elite group of bowlers in the history of Test cricket. He stands alongside spin legends Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne as one of only three players to achieve thi🃏s remarkable milestone.
Landmark wickets
Anderson’s inaugural Test wicket came against Zimbabwe’s Mark Vermeulen at Lord’s in May 2003. Subsequently, he reached significant milestones by dismissing South Africa’s Jacques Kallis (100th), Australia’s Peter Siddle (200th), New Zealanders Peter Fulton and Martin Guptill (300th and 400th respectively), West Indies’ Kraigg Brathwaite (500th), and Pakistan’s Azhar Ali (600th).
Also READ: IND vs ENG – Devdutt Padikkal opens up about the moment he learned of his possible Test Debut in Dharamsala
Reactions from the cricket fraternity
The cricketing world was quick to applaud Anderson’s historic achievement. Former players, current cricketers, and fans flooded social media with messages of praise and admiration for the English seamer.
Here is how X reacted:
The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over theꦰ ball looked special.
Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, “Maine🍌 bola tha” — that he had called it so early.ဣ 😀
700 test wickets is a stellar…
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)
700 Test wickets is incredible for a spinner .. But to witness a seamer reaching that milestone is ridiculous .. I can’t imagine we will see it happen again .. congrats on reaching heights nobody has reached bef💎ore & I doubt will in the future ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
What a great bowler !Congratulations on your 700 test wickets. Monumental effort! A true testament of𝓡 fitness, passion for the game and skill! Well done 👏🙌
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)
700 wickets in tests, to put into perspective, out of all the overs you've bowled, 116.4 overs have been wickets.
Well done !— DK (@DineshKarthik)
When ꦅyou take 700 wickets, you inhabit the stars. Th🔯is is simply phenomenal from Jimmy Anderson.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
A milestone so rare, becoming the first pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets! A testament to his perseꦗverance. 👏🏼👏🏼
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha)
21 years, ꦜ700* Test Wickets, 1 (and only🃏) James Michael Anderson. 🫡🐐
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Another milestone reached 📈
More history made 📘Jimmy's 700 Test wickets in numbers here:
— England Cricket (@englandcricket)
Jimmy Anderson's father watched Jimmy pick his 1st Test wicket.
Jimmy Anderson's father watched Jimmy pick his 700th Test wicket.
– What a proud day for him, watched Jimmy when he was a rookie to now watching him in the greatest of all time list. 👏
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
First pacer in Tests to
100 wkts – Charlie Turner🇦🇺 in 1895
200 wkts – Alec Bedser🏴 in 1953
300 wkts – Fred Trueman🏴 in 1964
400 wkts – Richard Hadlee🇳🇿 in 1990
500 wkts – Courtney Walsh🏝️ in 2001
600 wkts – James Anderson🏴 in 2020
700 wkts – James Anderson🏴 in 2024— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
The third player into the 700 club:
Well bowled, Jimmy Anderson
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
700 test wickets as a fast bowler. Safe to say it's one of those records that's never gonna be broken. No fast bowler in the future will play that many tests to begin with.
— Heisenberg ☢ (@internetumpire)
700 Test wickets for the l😼egendary James Anderson 👏🎃🙌
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
1877 – First match happened in Test cricket.
2024 – James Anderson becomes the first pacer to complete 700 wickets in Test cricket.
History in Dharmasala. 🐐
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
An all-time great of the game.
Congratulations, 🙌 |
— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket)
James Anderson 🫡
— Gagan🇮🇳 (@1no_aalsi_)
700 Tests wickets for
LEGEND 👏👏— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Finally the 700th one for James Anderson .
— Vimal कुमार (@Vimalwa)
Congratulations Legend 👑
— Aussies Army🏏🦘 (@AussiesArmy)
Who would have thought a fast bowler could perhaps get to 700 Test wickets – and certainly not when you are closing in on 42!
That’s Jimmy Anderson for you
The finesꦿt and the fittest Test cricket may 🍌have seen— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Congratulatioꦺns on your 700th Test wicket! Outstanding achievement🔴! 👏🏾 🇮🇳
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
