James Anderson’s 500th Test Wicket: His England career in numbers
Written by News on 09/09/2017
England’s James Anderson has become the sixth bowler in Test history to take 500 wickets. Here are the other key numbers and facts from the Lancastrian’s stellar international career.
NUMBERS
6 – bowlers with 500 Test wickets after Anderson joined Courtney Walsh, Shane Warne, Muttiah Muralitharan, Glenn McGrath and Anil Kumble.
129 – Tests taken for Anderson to reach 500 wickets – the same as West Indies great Walsh. Muralitharan was quickest to the mark in 87 Tests, with the other three ranging from 105 to 110.
27.64 – his Test bowling average. Only Kumble of the 500 club has a higher average, 29.65.
23 – times Anderson has taken five wickets in a Test innings. On three occasions he has gone on to make it a 10-wicket match.
7-43 – his best figures, against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June 2008.
18.95 – Anderson’s average at perhaps his favourite Test ground, Trent Bridge. He has taken more wickets at Lord’s, 84, but his 60 in Nottingham have come in just nine Tests as opposed to 21 at HQ.
35 – at 35 years and 40 days old, Anderson is the third-youngest man to reach 500 wickets.
2003 – the year Anderson made his Test debut, against Zimbabwe at Lord’s.
68 – number of Anderson’s Test wickets which came via catches from former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior, the most by any fielder. Current keeper Jonny Bairstow has contributed 32 catches and Alastair Cook 36.
11 – Anderson has dismissed Australia bowler Peter Siddle more times than any other opposing batsman.
FACTS
– Lancashire renamed Old Trafford’s Pavilion End after him before England’s Test against South Africa in August, leading to the PA announcer’s unusual call of "bowling from the James Anderson End, James Anderson".
– His stand of 198 with Joe Root against India at Trent Bridge in 2014 is the highest-ever 10th-wicket partnership in Test history. Anderson’s 81 that day remains his career best.
– Secured a place on the famous Lord’s honours board on Test debut, taking five for 73 against Zimbabwe.
– Has gone on to take five wickets in an innings on 23 occasions, behind only Sir Ian Botham and Sydney Barnes among Englishman.
– Became the first cricketer to pose for the cover of the Gay Times in 2010.
– Went 57 innings before registering his first duck, an England record.
– Honoured as one of Wisden’s five ‘Cricketers of the year’ in 2009.
– Aside from England, he has taken most wickets in Australia – with 43 in 13 matches Down Under.
– His most prolific series was India’s tour of England in 2014, taking 25 wickets at 20.60.
– Has never played away Tests in Pakistan, Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.
– Was England’s 12th man for the deciding Test of the famous 2005 Ashes series.
Live coverage of the Third Test between England and Windies continues on Sky Sports Cricket, with over-by-over commentary and in-play video clips in our match blog on Sky Sports’ digital platforms.
(c) Sky News 2017: James Anderson’s 500th Test Wicket: His England career in numbers
