James Anderson takes 700 wickets in Tests as first seamer: Here’s list of TOP 10 Test wicket takers IN PICS

Anderson now trails two legendary spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan who has 800 scalps and Australia’s Shane Warne who has 708.

• Shubham
• 09 March, 2024

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By: Shubham Ghosh

ENGLAND pace bowler James Anderson on Saturday (9) became the first seam bowler to take 700 wickets in Test matches in the format’s history going back by nearly 150 years when he picked the wicket of India’s Kuldeep Yadav in the fifth and final Test match between the two sides at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in Dharamsala.

Overall, the 41-year-old is the third bowler to enter the elite club. The two others are legendary spinners — Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka (800 wickets) and the late Shane Warne of Australia (708 scalps).

Here is the list of the top 10 wicket-takers in Test matches after Anderson achieved his feat in his 187th game, which however was less memorable from England’s perspective as they were hammered by India by an innings and 64 runs.

Read: Fifth Test: England capitulate to lose series 1-4 even as James Anderson enters ‘700 Club’

For India, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also had a significant series since he completed his 500 wickets in Tests as the fastest Indian and claimed nine wickets in his 100th match in Dharamsala.

Read: Two assassinations, riots & an industrial disaster: England’s turbulent 1984 cricket tour of India

Top 10 Wicket Takers in Tests

Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) has 800 wickets in 133 matches at an average of 22.72; Five-wicket hauls (FWH) 67

Shane Warne (Australia) has 708 wickets in 145 matches at an average of 25.41; FWH 37

James Anderson (England) has 700 wickets in 187 matches at an average of 26.52; FWH 32

Anil Kumble (India) has 619 wickets in 132 matches at an average of 29.65; FWH 35

Stuart Broad (England) has 604 wickets in 167 matches at an average of 27.68; FWH 20

Glenn McGrath (Australia) has 563 wickets in 124 matches at an average of 21.64; FWH 29

Nathan Lyon (Australia) has 527 wickets in 129 matches at an average of 30.39; FWH 24 (he is currently playing a Test against New Zealand)

Courtney Walsh (West Indies) has 519 wickets in 124 matches at an average of 24.44; FWH 22

Ravichandran Ashwin (India) has 516 wickets in 100 matches at an average of 23.75; FWH 36

Dale Steyn (South Africa) has 439 wickets in 93 matches at an average of 22.95; FWH 26