James Anderson Breaks Record of Glen McGrath’s In International Cricket

James Anderson became the leading wicket taker in international cricket among pacers. This happened when he took the wicket of Simon Harmer during the second innings of South Africa’s second Test in Manchester on Saturday. In doing so, he went past the Australia legend Glenn McGrath. In his international career, McGrath has a total of 949 wickets across different formats. On the other hand, Anderson has 951 wickets, since he also dismissed Kagiso Rabada after the wicket of Harmer. Anderson now has 664 wickets in Tests, 269 in ODIs and 18 in T20 Internationals (T20Is).

He is only five wickets behind Anil Kumble’s tally, and if Anderson can go past the legendary leg spinner of India, he will become the third highest wicket taker in international cricket.

Anderson struck thrice in each innings of South Africa as England hammered the visitors by scoring an innings and 85 runs. England had a good start, after South Africa opted to bat first.  Their brilliant bowling led them to bowling their opponents out for 151. Then, Ben Stokes (103) and Ben Foakes (113*) each scored a century that helped England reach a score of 415/9 after which they declared. Ben Stokes told a press conference after the match, “I honestly can’t see when he’s going to stop. You can see him enjoying every moment that he is out there.”

The pacers of England then had a similarly good start as South Africa as they were able to bowl them out for 179.

Thanks to the defiant 87 run partnership of Rassie van der Dussen and Keegan Peterson, South Africa got a chance to avoid the innings defeat. Their partnership was able to keep South Africa in, but once they were dismissed right after Tea on the third day of the Test, the lower order was easily taken care of, with Anderson striking twice and Ollie Robinson thrice.

Robinson, who was brought back into the team to take the place of Matthew Potts, finished with a four wicket haul in the second innings. The series is now level at 1-1 after South Africa themselves inflicted an innings defeat on England in the first Test.