It seemed like the relentless rain over the course of the final day of the third Test between England and Pakistan would further prolong the agonising wait for James Anderson to reach a milestone he was just one wicket short of.
Therefore, as soon as the heavens cooperated, Anderson wasted no time and fittingly enough, scalped the opposing captain Azhar Ali to mark his 600th wicket.
With it, Englishman rose into rarified air, becoming the fourth member of the 600 club, joining Muttiah Muralitharan (800), Shane Warne (708) and Anil Kumble (619). However, what sets Anderson's achievement apart is that he is the first fast bowler to reach the milestone.
It took Anderson 156 matches to reach the milestone and that tenure includes an incredible 29 five-wicket hauls. The achievement was undoubtedly a popular one, as social media immediately went abuzz with earnest plaudits for the 38-year-old veteran, and we round up some of the best ones.
Champion bowler James Anderson! Congrats on reaching the first-ever 600 wickets for a fast bowler.. hard work, passion and never-day-die approach have been the hallmark of your career.. doyen of fast bowlers, best wishes for the rest of your career
— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive)
Incredible 600 by . What an amazing achievement. Playing 156 Test Matches for a medium fast bowler is no less achievement. Cheers mate.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph)
Couldn’t be a greater ambassador for Test Cricket than James Anderson! He’s an excellent example to young kids that to win a Cricket Oscar be great in Test Cricket!
— Ramiz Raja (@iramizraja)
Congrats James Anderson
First fast bowler in history to take 600 Test wickets.
You are a nightmare for any openers in world cricket.....— (@IamDimuth)
Just take a moment to appreciate how good Jimmy is
600! You’re amazing bro! #600— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62)
Many many congratulations on the 600 mate.. Skill,strength, tenacity and the longevity as a fast bowler is unparalleled..Wishing you many more my friend...
— Kartik Murali (@kartikmurali)
For a fast-bowler to play 156 test matches is an incredible achievement, a testament of his endurance. And becoming the first fast bowler to 600 test wickets is a just reward for the hard-work & the passion with which has played his cricket. Many congratulations
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281)
Keep forgetting he is 38! you timeless beauty! GOAT
— Siddharth Khandelwal (@siddsk47)
After 3 dropped catches in 2 overs,
is one second away from saying.....— Kunal Thakur (@kunalthakur2020)
Jimmy Jimmy-yay Jimmy-yay Jimmy-yo!
Swala la la !❤️— Samarth Oza (@SamarthOza711)
A MAN WITH A GOLDEN ARM
THE GREATEST TEST FAST BOWLER EVER 600
— Shahzman khawaja (@kya_msla)
Every one was shouting or singing "Come on Jimmy Jimmy!" ! Enjoyed every wicket of every match! Here's the song!
— Andrew T. Mackay (@AndrewTMackay)
Hats of to the Greatest bowler I've ever seen. takes 600!! Love him or hate him, the generations to follow will remember this man. Absolutely Insane cricketer!
— Pushkar Akolkar (@PUSHKAR_AKOLKAR)
The great Fred Trueman once said about anyone achieving his feat of 300 test poles "If he does he’ll be bloody tired by the time he does it.". Don't think he had James Anderson in mind, what a champion 600 scalps at test level for a fast bowler is a special achievement
— Mluleki Ntsabo® (@ntsabomluleki)
At the age of 38, running in hard as ever and able to extract swing and seam only to be the best in the world. Agile, athletic, and handsomest ever. #600 One hero beyond the game and pundits.
— Pady (@BabarAzamKannan)
Oh Jimmy Jimmy,
Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy And-er-son!!!!!!!Well Done
LEGEND!!!!!!!!— Andrew Walsh (@ANDOWALSHO)
Finally Englishman James Anderson puts a fast bowler in the league of extra ordinary gentlemen, becomes first paceman to claim 600 Test wickets.
— shailendra awasthi (@toi_shailendraA)
600 Test Wickets!
Arise Sir Jimmy of Anderson!
— Leighton Thomas (@Tommo155)
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Alastair Grant
