After a glorious career of 21 years, England’s James Anderson has finally bid adieu to international cricket at the age of 41 years and 348 days. One of the greatest fastest bowlers to play for England, Anderson has played 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for the Three Lions taking 990 wickets across formats.
Having played his last limited overs game for England in 2015, Anderson has been only playing Tests since then and has finished his career as the all-time third-highest taker in Test. He is just behind legends like Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in the list of leading wicket-takers of all time across all formats. He is also just second in the list of playing most Test matches in a career.
Let’s have a look at James Anderson’s stats and records in Test cricket
James Anderson’s Five Best Spells in Test Cricket
6/42 against West Indies in Bridgetown, 2015
James Anderson delivered one of his best spells in Test cricket during a Test match against West Indies in Bridgetown from May 1st to 3rd in 2015. After getting all out for 257 runs, England bowled the Windies out for 189 runs taking a lead of 68 runs in the first innings. Anderson was the star for England in that innings taking 6 wickets by conceding 42 runs in 12.4 overs. However, England lost the game as West Indies chased the target of 192 runs losing 5 wickets.
6/40 against Sri Lanka in Galle, 2021
In a spin-friendly pitch of Galle International Stadium, fast bowler James Anderson bowled one of the best spells of his career against Sri Lanka in Galle in January 2021. Batting first, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 381 runs, where Anderson took 6 wickets by conceding 40 runs in 29 overs. At last, England went on to win the game by six wickets chasing 164 runs.
6/17 against Pakistan in Nottingham, 2010
Playing a monumental role in England’s dominant win against Pakistan, James Anderson shone with his bowling in both innings in a Test match in Nottingham from July 29th to August 1st in 2010. After registering figures of 5/54 in the first innings, Anderson took 6 wickets for 17 runs in the second innings as England won the match by 354 runs.
7/43 against New Zealand in Nottingham, 2008
Another match-winning spell by James Anderson in a Test match against New Zealand in Nottingham from June 5th to 8th in 2008. After scoring 364 runs in the first innings, England bowled New Zealand out for 123 runs and 232 runs respectively to win the Test match by an innings and nine runs. Anderson delivered the spell of 7/43 and 2/55 in both innings respectively.
7/42 against West Indies at Lords, 2017
The best Test spell of James Anderson came at his favourite Lords Cricket Ground in a Test match against West Indies from September 7th to 9th, 2017. After taking a lead of 71 runs in the first innings. England bowled West Indies out for 177 runs in the second innings, with Anderson registering his career-best spell of 7/42. England went on to win the match by 9 wickets chasing 107 runs in 28 overs.
James Anderson Test Records
2nd Most Test Matches in a career – 188 Test
Third Highest wicket-taker in Test cricket – 703 wickets
Third Highest wicket-taker across all formats – 990 wickets
Most wickets in Test by fast bowler – 703 wickets
Most wickets by fast bowler across all formats – 703 wickets
2nd Most Test wickets at a single ground – 119 Test wickets at Lord’s Cricket Ground
3rd Fastest bowler to take 700 wickets in Tests – 187 matches.
3rd Most wickets at single ground across all formats – 141 wickets at Lords Cricket Ground
4th Most ball bowled in career across all formats – 49883 balls