James Anderson, one of the greatest bowlers of the modern era, recently retired after the first Test against West Indies in London. Known for his exceptional ability to swing the new ball, Anderson has troubled top-class batters throughout his illustrious career.
In his final Test, he took four wickets, bringing his total to an impressive 704 wickets in Test cricket.
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Here are five unique stats that highlight his remarkable career
Most Wickets Caught by Wicket-Keeper
In Test cricket, James Anderson has the record for most wickets taken by a wicketkeeper. Out of his 704 wickets, 249 have been caught behind the stumps. This feat underscores his skill in getting the ball to swing and induce edges from batters.
Additionally, Anderson is second only to Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of getting batters bowled, having achieved this 137 times compared to Muralitharan’s 167.
Second Most Five-Wicket Hauls as a Pacer
Throughout his career, Anderson has claimed 32 five-wicket hauls, the second most by any fast bowler. This places him sixth overall in the history of Test cricket. The only pacer ahead of him is New Zealand’s Sir Richard Hadlee, who has achieved 36 five-wicket hauls.
Anderson’s consistency and skill have been key factors in his ability to secure such an impressive number of five-wicket hauls.
One of Four Bowlers with 100 Wickets at a Single Venue
Anderson is one of only four bowlers in Test cricket history to take 100 wickets at a single venue. He has taken 123 wickets in 29 matches at Lord’s in London.
The other three bowlers to achieve this are Muttiah Muralitharan (166 wickets at Colombo, 117 at Kandy), Rangana Herath (111 at Galle), and Stuart Broad (113 at Lord’s). This statistic highlights Anderson’s dominance and familiarity with the conditions at Lord’s.
Highest Wicket-Taker Among Fast Bowlers
With 704 wickets, James Anderson holds the record for the most Test wickets by a fast bowler. His English teammate, Stuart Broad, is the next pacer on the list with 604 wickets.
Anderson’s achievement as the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers is a testament to his longevity, fitness, and skill in the game.
Second Most Tests Played
Anderson has played 188 Test matches, the second most in the history of the game. Only India’s Sachin Tendulkar, with 200 Tests, has played more.
Anderson’s ability to maintain his performance over such a long career is remarkable and speaks volumes about his dedication and passion for cricket.
James Anderson’s career is adorned with numerous records and achievements. These five unique stats offer a glimpse into his exceptional contributions to Test cricket and his status as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time.
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