Lancastrian fast bowler Jimmy Anderson became only the third fast bowler to claim 500 test wickets as he broke records on day two of England’s third test match v West Indies.
Following a tough day with the bat England had a lead of just 71 at the start of the West Indies’ second innings.
The situation only got tougher for the visitors as Kraigg Brathwaite became Jimmy’s record breaking 500th wicket in test matches.
Jimmy becomes the sixth man in an impressive collection of cricketers to have taken 500 or more test wickets, with Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne claiming the top two spots.
Courtney Walsh and Glenn McGrath were the first two pacemen to achieve the feat with Indian spinner Anil Kumble in third spot.
Having made his test match debut in 2003 Jimmy claimed his first test wicket at Lords, the Home of Cricket – a mere 14 years later he would go on the repeat the feat at the same venue only this time for his 500th and later 501st wickets.
Nasser Hussain, former England captain and skipper when Jimmy made his debut, paid tribute to the Burnley man’s achievements: “He was so different from anything I, we, had seen before… an incredible talent.
“What we don’t see is what he’s been through, those years that he had to put out the cones in 2005 for the fab four bowling attack, the sacrifices he’s had to make, the injuries he’s had, all the pain he’s gone through, we’ve seen the end result.
“He’s been a credit to his country and when he gets that duke ball in his hand there’s not many bowlers like Jimmy Anderson.”
Bob Willis, a former England fast bowler and current Sky Sports commentator, went a little further with his praise saying that there has never been a better bowler in English conditions.
Jimmy’s record achievement continues to be praised on social media, by players both past and present with Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff, Morne Morkel and Brett Lee just a few to offer their congratulations.
Amazing that a lad from Burnley has 500 test wickets , amazing achievement @jimmy9 huge congrats from the Flintoff family
— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) September 8, 2017
Oooo Jimmy Jimmy.. jimmy jimmy jimmy Anderson.. Congrats @jimmy9 your are special!!#500
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) September 8, 2017
Well done mate on the test wickets @jimmy9
Respect— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) September 8, 2017
Speaking after his historic day, Jimmy acknowledged his opening bowling partnership with fellow teammate Stuart Broad as being “crucial to [his] development… and it makes it enjoyable turning up here every day trying to make myself as good as I can be”
Now the question remains just how many wickets can Jimmy take before he calls it a day?
Well good news for England fans as he has no plans of stopping anytime soon.
“I’m just trying to stay fit, stay on the field, you know I’m loving playing cricket at the moment, I’m bowling well, I feel fit, and I just want to keep playing as long as I possibly can.”
Image courtesy of James Anderson/Slazenger Sports via Twitter, with thanks.
