James Anderson Becomes First Pacer in Test Cricket History to Bowl 40,000 Deliveries

England pacer James Anderson is set to bid goodbye to international cricket as he’s appearing in his final Test of career against West Indies at Lord’s which got underway earlier this week. Anderson will bow out as the most prolific pacer in cricket history having taking 990 wickets thus far in his career.

England are on the verge of a big victory in the series opener and could complete the win as early as the third day of the Test itself. After opting to bowl first, England skittled West Indies for 121 in 41.4 overs on the opening day before being bowled out for 371 in exactly 90 overs.

Armed with a first innings lead of 250, England reduced a sorry West Indies to 79/6 in 34.5 overs with Gus Atkinson getting rid of allrounder Jason Holder on 20 which turned out to be the last delivery of Day 2.

Anderson Creates History

During the course of play on Thursday, Anderson became the first ever pacer in Test cricket history to have bowled 40,000 or more deliveries. Playing in his 188th Test, the 41-year-old has now 40,001 deliveries to his name.

Overall, he’s fourth in the list of most balls bowled in Tests after Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble and Shane Warne – all spinners. His former England teammate Stuart Broad who retired after the Ashes 2023 completes the top-five.

Most deliveries in Test cricket

1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 44039 (133 Tests)
2. Anil Kumble – 40850 (132 Tests)
3. Shane Warne – 40705 (145 Tests)
4. James Anderson – 40001 (188 Tests*)
5. Stuart Broad – 33698 (167 Tests)

Most Deliveries in International Cricket

Anderson is also the fourth on the list of most deliveries bowled across formats. So far, he has 49883 deliveries and could add a few more before the end of what is his 400th international match of a storied career.

This list is also led by Muralitharan followed by Kumble and Warne. Former New Zealand captain and spinner Daniel Vettori completes the top-five.

Most Balls Bowled in International Career

1. Muttiah Muralitharan – 63132 (495 Matches)
2. Anil Kumble – 55346 (403 Matches)
3. Shane Warne – 51347 (339 Matches)
4. James Anderson – 49883 (400 Matches)
5. Daniel Vettori – 43661 (442 Matches)

Anderson Misses Out on Another Record

Ahead of the start of the match, the right-arm pacer needed 13 wickets to complete 1000 wickets in international cricket. However, he has taken three wickets so far in the ongoing Test against West Indies and can at maximum add four more scalps to his kitty.

Muralitharan also tops this list with 1347 wickets across 495 matches followed by Shane Warne who took 1001 wickets from 339 matches. Anderson is third with 987 wickets so far while Anil Kumble (956 wickets from 403 matches) and Glenn McGrath (949 wickets from 376 matches) are fourth and fifth respectively.