Another record for James Anderson: 100 first-wicket dismissals

Anderson made history when he had John Campbell out for a golden duck.

James Anderson celebrates the fall of John Campbell first ball. © AFP

James Anderson and Moeen Ali were the stars for England on day four of the third Test in St Lucia, taking three wickets each as West Indies were bowled out during the evening session to lose by by 232 runs.

Set a target of 85 after Joe Root declared England’s second innings at 361/5, West Indies were left with a little under six sessions to bat for the draw and were soon rocked by Anderson, who had them 10/3 in no time. (READ MORE: England thrash Windies to claim consolation win)

Having changed his run-up during the third Test, Anderson struck with his third ball to get John Campbell for a golden duck, a thick outside edge flying to gully where Moeen held a stunning one-handed catch. (READ MORE: Nice to finish on a win: Joe Root)

That dismissal gave Anderson another record, for it was the 100th instance of England’s spearhead having taken the first wicket to have fallen in a Test innings.

Taking the first wicket to fall in a Test innings most often:
JM Anderson 100
GD McGrath 97
Kapil Dev 82
RJ Hadlee 71
CA Walsh 70
WPUJC Vaas 68
Wasim Akram 66
CEL Ambrose 63
SM Pollock 62
DW Steyn 62

— Andrew Samson (@AWSStats) February 13, 2019

Behind Anderson, the next two names on the all-time list are also fast bowlers. Glenn McGrath is at second place with 97 first-wicket dismissals and Kapil Dev is at third with 82.

In a spell of 3/27, Anderson also dismissed West Indies’ stand-in captain Kraigg Brathwaite for 8 and Darren Bravo for 0.

During the series, which England lost 1-2 to fall from three to fifth in the ICC Test rankings, Anderson had picked up another record – that of becoming the first England bowler with 200 wickets away from home.