James Anderson becomes England’s highest Test wicket taker

James Anderson has become England’s highest Test wicket-taker surpassing Sir Ian Botham. The 32-year-old right-arm fast bowler has taken 384 wickets in 100 Tests.

His 384^th dismissal was West Indies’ Denesh Ramdin who was caught at first slip off Anderson on the final day of the first Test in Antigua. He was greeted by his teammates after the achievement. Before the Test, he had 380 wickets on his tally.

When Ramdin left the field, West Indies was 294-7. However, Jason Holder’s unbeaten 103 helped the team to finish the game with a draw.

England’s former all-rounder Sir Ian Botham made his debut in 1977 and continued playing till 1992. In his long 15-year cricket career, he appeared in 102 Tests and claimed 383 wickets. With the bat, he scored 5200 runs at an average of 33.54.

Anderson played two matches fewer than Botham to surpass the legend. However, Botham predicted that he could increase his tally to 450 easily. It is time to see how long he can take it. 

James Anderson does not want to take part in the IPL 2013

James Anderson’s decision of not participating in the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has obviously surprised the cricket fans. Where most of the players around the world are looking for the IPL 2013 for earning money quickly and getting fame there English fast bowler has shown his interest of not participating in the players’ auction of the cash-rich tournament for the sake of his country.

The reason of not becoming the part of the IPL 2013 is that he wants to take rest and be fit for England’s back-to-back Ashes campaigns that will make its commence in 2013. The next IPL player auction is scheduled to be held on February 3, 2013.

Due to the schedule conflict between their home season and the Twenty20 tournament, English players have not featured in the IPL. Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan are the only two players who have contract for the 2013 tournament with the Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. Three more players from England have got clearance from their county side to take part in the players’ auction.

James Anderson was appeared in the lat season’s auction with a base price of $250,000, but failed to attract any takers. Because of England’s good performance on Indian soil, he has the potential of being bought by any of the franchises of the IPL. MS Dhoni also praised Anderson for his performance.