In a historic second, England’s tempo maestro James Anderson, on the age of 41 years and 187 days, etched his title in cricket annals because the oldest tempo bowler to grace an Indian Test match. This milestone occurred through the second Test towards India on the YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
Anderson’s feat shattered a longstanding file present in Test cricket for 72 years, beforehand held by the legendary Indian cricketer Lala Amarnath. Amarnath had been the oldest pacer to play a Test in India since 1952, attaining this distinction on the age of 41 years and 92 days throughout his remaining Test towards Pakistan at Eden Gardens. (‘It’s Best To Ask…,’ Rahul Dravid Answers Question About Virat Kohli’s Availability For India vs England third Test)
The unique record of seasoned pacers included names like Ray Lindwall, Shute (*41*), and Ghulam Guard, who left an everlasting legacy earlier than the cricketing panorama remodeled in 1961. Anderson now stands because the fifth oldest participant to take part in a Test in India, with Zimbabwe’s John Traicos holding the file at 45 years and 304 days in 1993. (WTC Points Table 2023-25: Team India Get Big Jump In Rankings, England Take eighth Spot After IND vs ENG 2nd Test)
This is James Anderson at 42Â Â pic.twitter.com/GSniOr73bm
Shekhar Dutt (@DuttShekhar) February 4, 2024
Beyond age-defying data, Anderson boasts one other exceptional achievement: the title of the very best wicket-taker amongst visiting bowlers on Indian soil. Across three distinct eras of Indian cricket, Anderson’s deliveries have confirmed to be the nemesis of stalwarts, securing 35 wickets in 14 Test matches.
During the period of Sachin Tendulkar’s formidable willow, Anderson dismissed the Little Master 9 occasions. Transitioning into the Virat Kohli period, the English speedster claimed the prized wicket of the Indian captain seven occasions. Now, within the period of rising expertise, Anderson’s precision has troubled the youthful Shubman Gill, securing his wicket for the fifth time of their cricketing encounters.