James Anderson breaks Glenn McGrath’s record of dismissing most batsmen for ducks in Test cricket

English cricketer James Anderson added another feather to his cap in the Test against New Zealand. He set a new record of dismissing most batsmen for ducks in red-ball cricket.

James Anderson became the most capped English Test player. The Edgbaston match gave Anderson his 162^nd cap playing for the English team. It took him past former English captain Alistair Cook’s 161 caps.

On the 3^rd day of the Edgbaston Test, James Anderson picked up Neil Wagner’s wicket for a duck. It took him past the record of  Australian legend Glenn McGrath to become the bowler to dismiss most players for ducks.

McGrath had sent 104 batsmen for ducks during his illustrious Test career. But James Anderson set the record of dismissing 105 batsmen for ducks with the wicket of Neil Wagner.

In the Edgbaston Test, James Anderson picked up just 1 wicket for 68 runs in 29 overs. However, Stuart Broad took four wickets while Mark Wood and Olly Stone picked up 2 wickets each. The Kiwis were bowled out for 388 runs while England was all out for 303 runs in the first innings of the 2^nd Test.

James Anderson needs just 3 wickets to go past the record of Anil Kumble

James Anderson picked up his 617^th wicket with the dismissal of Neil Wagner. Thereby, he needs just 3 more wickets to cross Anil Kumble on the list of leading wicket-takers. Anderson took the field for the Edgbaston Test with 616 wickets under his belt from 161 tests. His average was 26.58 with 30 five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls. 

Meanwhile, Indian legend Anil Kumble had claimed 619 wickets in 132 Tests at an average of 29.65. During his illustrious career, Kumble claimed 35 five-fors and eight ten-wicket match hauls.

At present, James Anderson is on the fourth spot on the list of leading wicket-takers. Meanwhile, Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708), and Anil Kumble (619) are ahead of him on the list. 

In a recent interview, Anderson admitted to having self-doubts when he made his Test debut. There was a lot of nerves and he felt like he was out of his depth at that point. But he went on to claim five wickets in that match against Zimbabwe and gained confidence in his ability. 

Over the last decade, James Anderson and Stuart Board have claimed 522 wickets as a pair. They are considered one of the most lethal fast bowling duo in Tests cricket. 

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