James Anderson earns applaud across Twitter after joining elite 500 club

After becoming only the third paceman after Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh to join the 500-Test wicket-club at Lord’s yesterday, James Anderson is also eyeing McGrath’s tally of wickets. The 35-year-old swing king from Lancashire is the only active cricketer in the ‘500 club’, with the spin trio of Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test wickets), Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619), in common with McGrath and Walsh, all retired.

Anderson is the only English bowler to have touched this mark, rather was the only with over 400 wickets as well and the English cricket fans are now hopeful that one of the best seamers in the history of the game will go past McGrath’s tally of 563 Test wickets.

Anderson’s milestone delivery, marked by his signature inswinger, ripped out Kraigg Brathwaite’s middle stump in the third over of West Indies second innings. In fact, he may have well been celebrating his 500th on Thursday had it not been for the exploits of all-rounder Ben Stokes who claimed a career-best 6 for 22 with a devastating spell of swing bowling that Anderson himself would’ve been delighted to see.

He had taken the first two West Indies wickets of the match before Stokes stole the limelight to skittle Windies for 123, leaving Anderson stranded on 499. When West Indies walked out to bat again after rain affected play, the excitement grew leaps and bounds as Anderson took control of the new ball.

The fans did not have to wait long as, two overs in, he removed Brathwaite for the second time in the match and was immediately surrounded by his team-mates as the crowd gave a standing ovation to acclaim England’s most successful bowler.

The newest member of the elite club was also applauded by the cricket fraternity across the world with former cricketers and experts wishing the swing king on Twitter.

Here are some of the best tweets:

It's a battle day in day out but respect must always be shown in this wonderful game. Special congrats to @jimmy9 for reaching the 500 club.

— Jason Holder (@Jaseholder98) September 8, 2017

If anyone can speak from experience I would say @LancsCCC has the foundations to make legend cricketers.Congrats @jimmy9 massive achievement

— Wasim Akram (@wasimakramlive) September 8, 2017

Congrats to my mate @jimmy9. Legend. #500 ?5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ pic.twitter.com/7l6UfN142X

— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) September 8, 2017

Amazing that a lad from Burnley has 500 test wickets , amazing achievement @jimmy9 huge congrats from the Flintoff family ??

— andrew flintoff (@flintoff11) September 8, 2017

Well done mate on the 5️⃣0️⃣0️⃣ test wickets @jimmy9
Respect ??

— Brett Lee (@BrettLee_58) September 8, 2017

Congrats @jimmy9 on reaching 500 tests wickets and becoming the 6th to do so! Phenomenal effort ??

— Mitchell Johnson (@MitchJohnson398) September 9, 2017

Jimmy Anderson … from Burnley

— David 'Bumble' Lloyd (@BumbleCricket) September 8, 2017

Master of Swing…One of the finest ever. James Anderson. #500wickets #Respect pic.twitter.com/9I4tbSkKBI

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) September 8, 2017

Outstanding achievement by James Anderson #500 test wickets #class #ENGvWI

— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) September 8, 2017