As per media reports, dated August 25, 2020, James Anderson, 38, became the first ‘fast bowler’ in history to take 600 Test wickets. He started the third Test at the Ageas Bowl seven wickets away from the feat, dismissed Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali for the milestone on Day 5. After England imposed the follow-on, Anderson first dismissed Abid Ali for 42 and then the Pakistan captain on the final day of the Test match.
He became the leading Test wicket-taker among fast bowlers in 2018 surpassing Glenn McGrath and took two more years to achieve the 600 mark. He is fourth on the list of all-time wicket-takers in Tests, behind Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, and Anil Kumble. His second-best bowling performance is at the Ageas Bowl, 5/56 in the first innings. Having played just five matches before this, he had picked up 19 wickets at the venue, with a best of 5/53 against India in 2014.