England fast bowler James Anderson will look to beat former Indian spinner, Anil Kumble's test wickets record in the Test series against New Zealand starting at Lord's on Wednesday. Anil Kumble has 619 wickets in Test cricket and he is at number three in terms of highest wickets in this format.
The 38-year-old pacer has so far taken 614 wickets in 160 Test matches and has set his eyes on Kumble's record of 619 wickets. Anderson can achieve this feat in the two-match Test series against New Zealand starting here on Wednesday. Anderson is currently at number four in the list of bowlers with most wickets in Tests.
Apart from this, if he plays both the matches, then he will become the player to play the most Test matches for England. He will overtake former captain Alastair Cook, who has played 161 Test matches.
At the same time, Anderson will also achieve the feat of taking one thousand wickets in first-class cricket as soon as he takes eight wickets during this series. Former England left-arm spinner Wilfred Rhodes holds the record for taking 4,204 wickets in first-class cricket.
Former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan is the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 800 wickets, while former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne is second with 708 wickets. Anderson is eight wickets away from reaching 1,000 wickets in first-class cricket. The record for the highest number of wickets in the first class is in the name of former England left-arm spinner Wilfred Rhodes. He has taken 4,204 wickets.