Most deliveries in Test cricket by a pacer – Anderson goes to No.1

When James Anderson bowled the last delivery of his 17th over in the New Zealand second innings in Christchurch on Tuesday 3 April, he became the owner of a record that spoke volumes of his longevity.

Anderson, who had made his Test debut in 2003, had just bowled 30,020th legal delivery, which was more than any other fast bowler in history and fewer only than Muttiah Muralitharan, Anil Kumble and Shane Warne.

The record had belonged to Courtney Walsh, who had sent in 30,019 balls over his 132-Test career spanning 17 years. Anderson got past the Windies great in his 136th Test.

He ended the Test match with 30,074 deliveries against his name.

Before getting to the mark, Anderson had picked up his first wicket of the innings, and fifth of the match, when he sent back Henry Nicholls. That was his 531st Test wicket, placing him only behind Glenn McGrath among pacers and fifth overall, with the three legendary spinners occupying the top three spots.

Unfortunately for Anderson, he couldn’t mark the occasion with a win, as Ish Sodhi and Neil Wagner played out of their skins to keep the England bowlers at bay and secure a draw that gave them a 1-0 series win.