PURPLE PATCH: This week we take a look at Jimmy Anderson’s ascent to legendary status after notching up his 600th Test wicket.
Oh Jimmy Jimmy! Charting the success of England’s greatest ever Test match bowler
When James Anderson made his Test debut against Zimbabwe in May 2003, he could have only wished for the tremendous success he’s had since then.
But after becoming just the fourth man to take 600 wickets in the Test arena and the first fast bowler to do it, there’s little doubt that Jimmy will go down in the annals as one of cricket’s greatest ever players.
At BETDAQ, we’ve been through the history books and have plotted the milestones that have really shaped the Englishman’s career.
As mentioned, Anderson’s career began in May 2003 at Lord’s against Zimbabwe and it took him just three overs to claim his first scalp as he clean bowled Mark Vermeulen.
Five years later, he reached a ton as he trapped South African great Jacques Kallis LBW for two, albeit in a losing series.
He was one of the leading lights in England’s historic victory Down Under in 2010/11, where his 24 wickets at 26.04 were a key factor in England’s domination of the Ashes series.
His double-century came in England’s only defeat in Perth, a trademark outswinger to Peter Siddle which he edged to Paul Collingwood at slip.
His 300th victim was New Zealand’s opener Peter Fulton, who fell in a similar vein to Siddle, an outswinger edge to slip, although this time it was poached by Graeme Swann.
Two years later, Anderson had 400 Test wickets. Again at the expense of a Kiwi opener, although this time it was Martin Guptill.
A beautiful delivery was knicked by Guptill and Ian Bell, at second slip, did the rest.
He didn’t have to wait that much longer for another milestone, just over two years in fact, as West Indian Kraigg Brathwaite became his 500th Test scalp.
It was a delivery for the ages too as the opening batsman was bowled by an absolute beauty which virtually knocked his middle stump out of the ground.
Many thought that might be the last milestone of Anderson’s career, but the Lancastrian wasn’t having any of that as he continued to take wicket after wicket.
And amazingly he notched up an incredible 600th Test wicket on Tuesday afternoon when he had Pakistan’s Azhar Ali caught at first slip by his captain Joe Root.
An unbelievable achievement from an unbelievable sportsman.
][/video]
