James Anderson joins greats with 500th Test wicket

James Anderson admitted he had to struggle to keep his emotions in check after becoming the first Englishman to take 500 Test wickets.

England's James Anderson holds the ball that took his 500th Test match wicket, West Indies' Kraigg Brathwaite for 4 runs. Picture: Glyn Kirk/AFP/Getty Images

Anderson was watched by his family at Lord’s on day two of the third Investec Test against the West Indies and, when he clean-bowled Kraigg Brathwaite to reach the famous landmark, they were uppermost in his mind.

So too were a group of players who have been present for many of his 129 Tests so far, with former captain Alastair Cook close at hand in the slips to help him celebrate a moment which puts him in the company of just five other bowlers in the all-time list.

“I felt a bit emotional, because my family were in the crowd – my kids, mum and dad and the missus,” said the 35-year-old seamer.

“Knowing they were there made it special, and sharing with guys I’ve played 100 Tests with as well.”

The reaction of his team-mates showed their enjoyment at his achievement, which helped give England the advantage in a tight contest after the tourists reached a second-innings 93 for three at stumps to nose just 22 runs in front in this series decider.

Anderson added: “It’s an amazing feeling to see how pleased they were for me.

“It was a bit more (not quite) teary, but emotional... I don’t normally get like that when I’m trying to focus on my job.”

He recovered his composure to take a second wicket before the close – Kieran Powell, also bowled – with a different ball, after impact with Brathwaite’s middle stump damaged the first and ensured it is already in Anderson’s safe keeping. He said: “The ball that hit the stumps made a big gash, so they changed it and, luckily, someone got their hands on it.”

Anderson went to his 500 in just his second over, having snapped up two early Windies wickets in the first innings only to stay stuck on 499 when Ben Stokes took over with six for 22.

Stokes added a crucial 60 as England then eked out 194 all out despite Kemar Roach’s five for 72. “Ideally I’d have got it the first day, but Ben didn’t want me to...” Anderson, who took a good diving catch for Stokes’ fifth wicket, said with a half-smile.

“To to get it today, with the game so tight, it is a big help.”

Anderson did so with a very good delivery, before returning for a second spell with an even better one to go to 501.

“I’d bowled a few outswingers, so I thought I’d try full and straight [at Brathwaite], and it nipped back,” he added. “The second one was an outswinger – I’m pleased with both of them.”

Roach had a huge grin on his face as he reflected on the achievement which has put him on the famous Lord’s honours board.

“It means a lot,” he said. “There are a lot of [West Indies] players before me – Courtney Walsh, Malcolm Marshall – to be a part of that is an amazing feeling.”