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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Matthew Cooper

James Anderson breaks another record as England seamer continues to star at 40

James Anderson has taken more international wickets than any other seamer in the history of the game after picking up his 950th in the second Test between England and South Africa.

Anderson will go down as one of the greatest to ever play the game and is already the most successful seamer in the history of Test cricket. At the age of 40, he has shown no signs of slowing down, having picked up 24 wickets at an average of just 17.66 for England so far this summer.

And it was fitting that Anderson was able to create yet more history at his home ground Old Trafford when he broke another record held by Australia legend Glenn McGrath.

Across all three formats, McGrath took 949 wickets and Anderson surpassed that when he bowled Simon Harmer for 16. Having been handed the second new ball, Anderson produced an excellent delivery that nipped back off the seam and clattered into the stumps.

It was textbook new ball bowling from the veteran and helped England wrap up a stunning innings victory to level the series.

Speaking on commentary for Sky Sports, former England batter Ian Ward said: "Gone! Second ball with the second new ball and it's Anderson, who else?!"

"It's a beauty," added Mark Butcher. "You might say it's the commentator's curse, you might just say it's the brilliance of Jimmy Anderson.

"The first ball was very much a loosener but he shook it off, went back to his mark and hit the top of off and middle stump." Anderson also picked up his 100th Test wicket against South Africa the following over as he dismissed Rabada.

He pitched the ball slightly fuller and as it straightened Rabada edged it to Joe Root at first slip, who took a smart low catch.

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