James Anderson becomes 1st pacer to bowl 50,000 deliveries in international cricket during his ENG vs WI farewell Test

England great James Anderson has become the first pacer to bowl 50,000 deliveries in international cricket. The ace pacer achieved the landmark on Day 2 of his farewell Test against West Indies at Lord’s in London on Thursday, July 11. Anderson has joined Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble, and Shane Warne on the list of players with 50k or more deliveries in internationals.

As far as Test cricket is concerned, Anderson also became the first pacer to bowl 40,000 deliveries. The 41-year-old joined the above-mentioned players on the unique list. He has bowled over 6,000 balls than his former England teammate Stuart Broad.

The two achievements came during Anderson’s ninth and 10th overs in the second innings against West Indies. Joshua Da Silva and Jason Holder faced those two landmark deliveries.

Most balls bowled in internationals (Source: Cricbuzz)

• 63132 - Muttiah Muralitharan
• 55346 - Anil Kumble
• 51347 - Shane Warne
• 50001 - James Anderson*

Most balls bowled in Tests (Source: Cricbuzz)

• 44039 - Muttiah Muralitharan
• 40850 - Anil Kumble
• 40705 - Shane Warne
• 40001 - James Anderson*
• 33698 - Stuart Broad

Anderson will join the England team as a mentor following his farewell Test against WI at Lord’s.

---

James Anderson goes past Anil Kumble for second-most wickets against West Indies in Tests

James Anderson took two wickets in the second innings against West Indies at the end of Day 2. He has now broken former India captain Anil Kumble’s record (89) for the second-most wickets (90) against Windies in Tests. He is only behind Australia legend Glenn McGrath, who bagged 110 wickets against WI.

Most wickets against West Indies in Tests (Source: Cricbuzz)

• 110 - Glenn McGrath
• 90 - James Anderson*
• 89 - Kapil Dev
• 86 - Fred Trueman
• 82 - M Muralitharan

Notably, Anderson will end as the highest wicket-taker in Tests with 700-plus wickets (703* in 188 Tests). Among pacers, he is way ahead of Stuart Broad, who scalped 604 wickets in 167 Tests. Spinners Muralitharan and Warne are on the top two lists for most wickets in Tests, picking up 708 and 800 wickets, respectively.

In international cricket, Anderson has 990 wickets*. The Lancashire-born pacer is only behind Warne (1001) and Muralitharan (1347).

Meanwhile, England are heading for a big win as West Indies are trailing by 171 runs in their second innings. The visitors were 79/6 at stumps on Day 2.

Follow the ENG vs WI 1st Test live score and updates here.