On Tuesday (25th August), the 38-year-old England right-arm pacer James Anderson finally created the much-awaiting history as he became the first pacer to claim 600 Test wickets. He also became the fourth bowler but slowest bowler (in terms of the number of matches) to achieve this feat.
Ahead of the final day of the third and final Test of the series between the England and Pakistan at Southampton, James Anderson was stuck with 599 Test wickets. Due to the rain interruption, the start of the final day was delayed hugely. While it was the last day for England’s ongoing home Test summer, Anderson had to wait for a longer period if the final day was totally washed out in the rain.
James Anderson completed his 600 Test wickets after dismissing Azhar Ali
In the early of the delayed final day, Anderson achieved his magic figure after dismissing Pakistan Test skipper Azhar Ali (31 runs). English Test captain Joe Root grabbed that catch at the lone slip.
Playing his 156th Test match, James Anderson completed his 600 Test wickets. While he became the first pacer in Test cricket history to claim 600 wickets, he also became the fourth bowler overall to achieve 600 Test wickets. However, the veteran English right-arm pacer is the slowest bowler to claim 600 Test wickets.
Bowlers with 600 Test wickets
| Player | Matches | Test wickets |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka/ICC World Xi) | 133 | 800 |
| Shane Warne (Australia) | 145 | 708 |
| Anil Kumble (India) | 132 | 619 |
| James Anderson | 156 | 600 |
While this final Test match of the series had the draw result (England – 583/8 decl; Pakistan – 273 & 187/4 f/o) and England won the three-match series by 1-0, Anderson finished with 600 wickets in 156 Tests. He bagged a total of seven wickets in this Test (5/56 & 2/45), including registering his 29th Test fifer during Pakistan’s first innings.
Fastest players to claim 600 Test wickets
| Player | Matches to complete 600 Test wickets |
| Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka/ICC World Xi) | 101 |
| Anil Kumble (India) | 124 |
| Shane Warne (Australia) | 126 |
| James Anderson (England) | 156 |
James Anderson is the most wicket-taker for England in international cricket. After making his international debut in December 2002, the right-arm pacer has taken 887 international wickets, and he is currently the sixth most wicket-taker in international cricket history. Anderson is also the most wicket-taker for England in ODI cricket as he has taken 269 ODI wickets.
James Anderson completing his every 50 Test wickets
| Timeline | Completing every 50 Test wickets | Test match number |
| July 2007 | 50th Test wicket | 17 |
| August 2008 | 100th Test wicket | 29 |
| January 2010 | 150th Test wicket | 45 |
| December 2010 | 200th Test wicket | 55 |
| March 2012 | 250th Test wicket | 67 |
| May 2013 | 300th Test wicket | 81 |
| June 2014 | 350th Test wicket | 93 |
| May 2015 | 400th Test wicket | 104 |
| May 2016 | 450th Test wicket | 115 |
| September 2017 | 500th Test wicket | 129 |
| August 2018 | 550th Test wicket | 140 |
| August 2020 | 600th Test wicket | 156 |