James Anderson, the true 'Lord of Lord's'
James Anderson became the first bowler to bag 100 wickets at the Lord's cricket ground.
(WebDesk) – Veteran English paceman, James Anderson claimed yet another record as he became the first bowler to bag 100 scalps at the home of cricket, the Lord’s cricket ground.
Anderson’s stock delivery that earned him the prized wicket of Indian batsman, Murali Vijay, proved to be his 100th wicket at the Lord’s. The wicket also helped him bag another unique record.Following the dismissal, James Anderson became only the second player after Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan to claim 100 scalps at one venue.
Murali who is leading the charts with respect to this record, had taken over a 100 wickets at Galle, Kandy and Colombo. Since Murali was a spinner, Anderson’s unique feat means that he becomes the first fast bowler to register the record to his name.
Also Read: India vs England: James Anderson first bowler to take 100 Test wickets at Lord s
Legends like Dennis Lillee, Richard Hadlee, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and even Dale Steyn could never claim the record; something that speaks for Anderson’s bowling supremacy.
The milestone only defines Anderson’s longevity and the fact that he loves playing at Lord’s. Anderson’s bowling stats suggest that the paceman took only 23 matches to cross the 100 wicket mark at Lord’s. His impressive average of only 23.89 and economy of under 2.80 speaks for itself.
The Lord’s cricket ground holds a special place in the heart of the great pacer not only because of this feat but because a young Jimmy made his Test debut at the iconic cricket ground. Anderson started off his Test career as a 20-year-old boy against Zimbabwe and claimed his first ever wicket in the same match when he dismantled the stumps of Zimbabwean batsman, Mark Vermeulen.
.jpg)
A young Anderson celebrates his debut Test wicket with his teammates. Photo: The Guardian
Other than this the bowler picked up his first ever five wicket haul at the same venue in the same match as the youngster marked his arrival with a bang. Four of the five wickets came when the ace bowler disturbed the stumps.
Anderson has had the privilege of having his name etched on the Lord’s honor board 6 times, one of which is the Englishman’s best performance; the match against West Indies in 2017 in which he bagged 7 wickets for 42 runs.
Anderson has claimed six five-wicket hauls at Lord’s. Photo: Cricbuzz
Anderson’s love affair with the stadium just does not end here. The 36-year-old claimed his coveted 500th scalp in the same venue as well.
James Anderson celebrates after claiming his 500th Test wicket. Photo: The Times
It is without a doubt that James Anderson has cemented his place as one of the world’s best fast bowlers. The English cricket fans certainly hope that Anderson continues his dominance at the home of cricket and cement his position as the true “Lord of Lord’s”.
