Published: May 17, 2013, 10:03 PM (IST)
Edited: May 17, 2013, 10:03 PM (IST)
James Anderson acknowledges his 300th wicket on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand © Getty Images
London: May 17, 2013
James Anderson became only the fourth England bowler to take 300 Test wickets when he dismissed New Zealand’s Peter Fulton on the second day of the first Test at Lord’s on Friday.
Lancashire seamer Anderson joined Ian Botham (383), Bob Willis (325) and the late Fred Trueman (307), the first man in history to take 300 Test wickets, in a select quartet of England bowlers.
The 30-year-old Anderson started the match needing two more wickets for his 300th in Tests.
And, after England had been bowled out for 232 in their first innings on Friday, he reached the milestone with a new-ball burst of two wickets for no runs in 17 balls to reduce New Zealand to seven for two
Hamish Rutherford became his 299th Test wicket, with the aid of a fine first slip catch by England captain Alastair Cook, before another full-length ball took Fulton’s outside edge and was well-held by second slip Graeme Swann.
But by tea, New Zealand had recovered to 54 for two.
“It’s quite an emotional moment for me and it was nice to share it with the guys I’ve played with for so long,” Anderson told Sky Sports at the interval.
“It’s brilliant, I’m delighted with the way things have gone today. I know it’s a big moment, but I’m focused on trying to take the next eight New Zealand wickets.
Here is a list of England’s top five wicket takers in Tests:
| Player | Matches | Innings | Wickets | BBI | Average |
| Ian Botham | 102 | 168 | 383 | 8-34 | 28.40 |
| Bob Willis | 90 | 165 | 325 | 8-43 | 25.20 |
| Fred Trueman | 67 | 127 | 307 | 8-31 | 21.57 |
| James Anderson* | 81 | 148 | 300 | 7-43 | 30.44 |
| Derek Underwood | 86 | 151 | 297 | 8-51 | 25.83 |
Brief scores:
England 232 (Jonny Bairstow 41, Joe Root 40; Tim Southee 4 for 58, Neil Wagner 3 for 70) lead New Zealand 54 for 2 (Kane Williamson 11*; James Anderson 2 for 18) by 178 runs.
