SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom, Aug 26 (Agencies): England's James Anderson became just the fourth bowler and first paceman to take 600 Test wickets when he dismissed Pakistan captain Azhar Ali in the third Test at Southampton on Tuesday.
The only bowlers with more Test wickets than the 38-year-old Anderson are a trio of retired spinners - Sri Lanka's MuttiahMuralitharan (800 Test wickets), Australia's Shane Warne (708) andIndia's Anil Kumble (619).
After fellow England quick Fred Trueman became the first bowler to take 300 Test wickets, a then astonishing figure, in 1964, he was asked whether he thought anyone would ever break his record.
If anyone could sympathise with those sentiments it is the 38-year-old Anderson, now appearing in his 156th Test.
Anderson made his England debut in Melbourne in December 2002, taking a modest 1-46 in six overs but he improved on the tour and won himself a place in England's squad for the 2003 World Cup.
He made his Test debut at Lord's later that year, taking 26 wickets in seven Tests against Zimbabwe and South Africa.
But his form wavered and for a time Anderson found himself reduced to bowling at cones during England practice sessions.
A stress fracture kept Anderson on the outside looking in as England, under the captaincy of Michael Vaughan, assembled the pace attack of Stephen Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Andrew Flintoff and Simon Jones that would help them win the celebrated 2005 Ashes series.
Anderson's distinctive action was also subjected to some unwelcome interference from coaches concerned over a potential risk of injury.
But he was back for England's miserable 5-0 Ashes series loss in Australia in 2006/07, taking just five wickets at an average of 82.60.
For some pundits, that series damned Anderson forever as a bowler who thrived in home, swing-friendly conditions but he learned from that experience and an overseas record of 194 wickets at 33.36 in 61 Tests is an impressive return.
By now he had formed a hugely productive new-ball partnership with Stuart Broad, whose ability to seam the ball complements Anderson's late swing through the air.
And the fact England decided to end Anderson's white-ball career after the 2015 World Cup has helped extend his longevity as a Test bowler.
In September 2018 he surpassed Glenn McGrath's 563 wickets to become Test cricket's most successful fast bowler.
The sheer physical strain of his trade saw Anderson break a rib bowling against South Africa at Cape Town in January, yet he still bowled 37 overs in the match, taking seven wickets.
Meanwhile,England fast bowler James Anderson's match haul of seven wickets and batsman Zak Crawley's massive 267 saw the duo shoot up in the latest ICC Test Rankings after the drawn third and final Test against Pakistan.
Anderson has moved back to the top-10 after briefly dropping out of it since the preceding home series against the West Indies.
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