England’s James Anderson goes past Anil Kumble to an unwanted Test record

During the ongoing third Test match between India and England in Rajkot, veteran England pacer James Anderson registered his name in cricket history books once again. Surpassing the legendary Indian wrist spinner Anil Kumble, Anderson now holds the record for conceding the most runs by a bowler in Test cricket.

Anil Kumble, who retired in 2008, had held the top spot on this list, having given away 18,355 runs during his illustrious 132-Test career. However, Anderson, who is considered one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time, has now overtaken Kumble’s tally. As of now, Anderson has conceded 18,371 runs in his remarkable 185*-Test career.

‘I feel privileged,’- James Anderson

With 696 wickets to his name, he stands as the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history, after Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne. Anderson has been brilliant with the ball and his consistency over the years has been truly remarkable.

In a recent interview, the 41-year-old expressed his desire to exit the game on a high note, highlighting his intention to retire on his terms. Reflecting on his career, Anderson remarked,

“I would like to be able to go out on a nice note. I don’t want to drag it out, and people are thinking: ‘Can you just do one.’ Morgs [Morgan] last year woke up and just knew it was time to call it a day. I am just hoping that is the case,” Anderson told The Telegraph.

“I feel privileged to have got in a position where I can make a decision because, as a bowler, it is usually taken out of your hands with injury or selection. It will be nice to go out on my own terms, but when that will be, you just have to wait and see,” he added.

Anderson is just four wickets away from the elusive milestone of 700 Test wickets. The veteran bowler was not part of the XI for the first Test in Hyderabad but was included in the second Test match where he picked up five wickets. In the first innings of the Rajkot Test, the speedster managed to get only one wicket under his belt.

Also read: James Anderson on his retirement plans