Anderson outpaces Kumbala to become 3rd Highest Test Cricketer
England fast bowler James Anderson has added another feather to his famous cap, overtaking Anil Kumble to become the third-greatest cricketer on Friday.
Anderson took the wicket of the well-set KL Rahul (84) on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test against India to take his overall tally to 620 in his 163rd match. Sri Lanka legend Muttiah Muralitharan leads the list with 800 Test wickets followed by Australian leg-spin wizard Shane Warne with 708 scalps.
Anderson brought England back into the series opener on Thursday when he picked up the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara and India captain Virat Kohli off successive deliveries to put the opposition under pressure before rain forced early stumps at Trent Bridge.
Kohli’s wicket saw Anderson go level with Kumble on 619 scalps. Anderson is already the highest wicket taker among pacers with Australian legend Glenn McGrath a distant second with 563 scalps.
“Obviously to get a couple of quick ones like that is important, especially Virat. He’s such an influential player for them, always good to get him early,” the 39-year-old told reporters.
“It’s always good to get a world class player out. You want to challenge yourself against the best and he certainly is one of the bests.”
Anderson won the first round of his much-anticipated battle with Kohli as the star England pacer managed to dismiss the India captain for a golden duck. It was the first time since 2014 that James Anderson managed to get the prized scalp of Virat Kohli in Test cricket.
The Anderson vs Kohli rivalry began in 2018 when the veteran seamer got a young Kohli’s wicket 4 times during the 5-match series which India lost 1-3. Anderson has dismissed Kohli 6 times in Test cricket which includes 2 golden ducks.
“He’s such a big wicket. To bowl the ball exactly where I wanted it to and for him to nick it as well. It was just an outpouring of emotions to get the team back into the game. Getting their best player out is something that doesn’t happen all that often,” Anderson said on his celebrations after sending back Kohli on Day 2.
