Bowling legend James Anderson adds another record to his tally, becoming the first pacer to bowl 40,000 deliveries in his farewell test
James Anderson said in his farewell Test that the 42-year-old has become just the fourth bowler in history to bowl 40,000 balls in Test cricket. On Day 2 of the England vs. West Indies 1st Test, Anderson broke the record after bowling his 10th over of the day. He becomes the first pacer to get to the mark, joining other greats of the game: Anil Kumble, Shane Warne, and Muttiah Muralitharan.
As has been the case on multiple occasions during the last decade, Anderson ended up being England’s best bowler. He had a miserly economy of 1.1, and half of his 10 overs were maidens. It was he who provided the first wicket, and that too in spectacular fashion. Just like he’d done to get his 500th wicket, he clean-bowled West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite to get things going. Although it was his last over of the day in which he bowled his 40000th Test ball, moments before he broke another record.
The pacer also became the first fast bowler to bowl 50,000 balls in cricket history. Strangely, he reached the magical number in his 400th and last international match for England.
He also went past Kapil Dev to become the second-most successful pacer against the West Indies in Test cricket. Although Glenn McGrath holds the record for most wickets against the nation, Anderson now moves to the second spot. Among active players, only Ravichandran Ashwin is close to that number with 75 wickets.