Veteran England pacer James Anderson has achieved a unique feat to his name in the history of Test cricket in India. The 41-year-old became the oldest pacer to play a match in the longest format of the game in India.
James Anderson achieved the feat after taking the field for the ongoing second Test against India. The second game of the five-match series between the teams will be held at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.
James Anderson’s longevity in Test cricket is nothing short of exceptional. In an era where players are abandoning longer formats focused on T20 leagues, the England Pacer makes sure to give all his blood and sweat for his white team.
In what has been his 184th Test match, James Anderson makes sure to set the stage on fire and ooze his class. The fast bowler has bowled impeccable lines and lengths in the match so far and has caused a lot of problems for the Indian batsmen in the morning session of the match.
On a court that has not favored seamers, James Anderson turned the ball wonderfully well in the opening phase of the game. The fast bowler made Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill and Shreyas Iyer think and created pressure, allowing the spinners to contribute.
James Anderson was rewarded for his brilliant bowling with the scalp of Shubman Gill. The batsman looked to be in good contact, but the fast bowler found the outside edge of his bat several times before sending him packing at lunchtime.
James Anderson bowled a fuller ball outside off, around the sixth stump. Shubman Gill stepped up to defend and moved away from the body with hard hands. The ball went over the outside edge and was safely saved by goalkeeper Ben Foakes.
This was the 5th time James Anderson dismissed Shubman Gill in the 7 innings. The batsman averages around 8 against the pacer and has managed just 39 runs in 72 balls.
James Anderson becomes the oldest pacer to play a Test match in India
James Anderson surpassed Lala Amarnath to become the oldest pacer to play a Test match in India. The England pacer, aged 41 years and 187 days, surpassed the former Indian player, who played a Test match in India at the age of 41 years and 92 days. He participated in a match against Pakistan in 1952.
Australian Ray Lindwall also features in the list when he played a match against India at the age of 38 years and 112 days in 1960. Shute Banerjee played against the West Indies in 1949 at the age of 37 years and 124 days. Last on the list is Ghulam Guard, who played a match between India and the West Indies in 1960 at the age of 34 years and 20 days.
Here is the list of oldest pacers who played a Test match in India:
Player | Age | Series | Year |
James Anderson | 41 years, 187 days | IND vs ENG | 2024 |
sleep amarnath | 41 years, 92 days | IND vs. PAK | 1952 |
Ray Lindwall | 38 years, 112 days | OFF vs. IND | 1960 |
Shute Banerjee | 37 years, 124 days | IND vs. WI | 1949 |
Ghulam Guard | 34 years, 20 days | IND vs. OFF | 1960 |