As the England cricket team prepares for the final showdown against India in the five-match Test series, currently trailing 3-1, all eyes are on veteran bowler James Anderson as the series heads into its fifth match in Dharamshala starting March 7. Despite England's position in the series, Anderson's personal achievements provide a compelling narrative.
Throughout the first four matches of the series:
Anderson has taken eight wickets in three games, with his best performance being 3/47. His contributions in the fourth Test at Ranchi were notable with figures of 2/48 and 0/12. As the series moves to Dharamshala for the concluding test, Anderson is on the cusp of setting several remarkable records.
Anderson is just two wickets shy of the monumental 700 Test wickets mark, aiming to become the first fast bowler and the third overall to achieve this feat in Test cricket history, joining the elite company of spin legends Muthiah Muralidaran (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708 wickets).
Moreover, Anderson is also on the verge of becoming the first bowler to claim 150 wickets in the IND vs ENG Test matchups. With 147 wickets from 38 matches against India, he's set to eclipse other notable bowlers who have taken 100 or more wickets in this specific contest, such as Nathan Lyon from Australia and Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan.
Another milestone within Anderson's reach is accumulating 250 wickets in Test matches played outside England. Currently, with 242 wickets from 75 matches abroad, he needs eight more wickets to achieve this milestone. Achieving this during the Dharamshala Test would also mean reaching the 50-wicket mark in Tests played in India, further cementing his legacy as one of the game's greats.
As the IND vs ENG series heads into its final match:
Anderson's pursuit of these historic milestones adds an exciting layer to the contest, highlighting his remarkable career and the potential to further his status as one of the greatest bowlers in Test cricket.
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