James Anderson becomes 1st cricketer to achieve huge feat, leaves behind Sachin & Ponting

Veteran England pacer James Anderson achieved an incredible feat on Thursday as he took field in second Test match against South Africa. Anderson became first cricketer in history of Test cricket to play 100 matches in a single country. 40-year-old, who has played a total of 174 Tests, appeared in his 100th Test in England on Thursday. No or player in history of game has played 100 Tests in a single country. 

Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar previously held record for playing most number of Tests in a single country. In his career, Sachin played 94 Tests in India, second most in a country after Anderson. Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is third on list with 92 Tests in Australia. Anderson's teammate Stuart Bro is fourth on list with 91 Tests in England. 

James Anderson in Test cricket

Anderson also holds record for taking most number of Test wickets for England. Anderson is currently third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket - only behind Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia's Shane Warne. Anderson has picked 658 wickets for England at an average of 26.40 and an economy of 2.80. He has 32 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls to his name. 

Anderson recently revealed he wanted to quit playing Test cricket for England after he was snubbed from Test squ for ir series against West Indies. Anderson, alongside his veteran pace partner Bro and five or players, were omitted from team for series due to ir poor performances. However, after new management took over reigns of English cricket, Anderson and Bro were called back to team.  

Anderson is currently playing in second Test of three-match series between England and South Africa. Proteas are currently 1-0 up in contest having won first match by an innings and 12 runs. As far as second game is concerned, South Africa won toss and elected to bat first. At time of writing this copy, Proteas have lost four wickets for 71 runs on board. England skipper Ben Stokes has picked two wickets, while Anderson and Bro have scalped one wicket each. 

Image: Instagram@EnglandCricket