James Anderson, the big gun managed to bag one more record to his name when he entered the field against South Africa for the second Test. The pacer has now appeared in 100 Tests in England alone and he is the first cricketer in the format to play 100 matches in a single country. The Burnley-born is one of the greatest bowlers to have ever played for England.
The 40-year-old has represented the Three Lions in as many as 174 Tests and has 659 scalps to his name so far. He is just behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708) and he might as well end up at second place at the end of his career. Amid staggering records in the bowling department, he has now forced his name into another record.
James Anderson has now played 100 Tests in England alone, going past Sachin Tendulkar’s record (94 tests in India). Ricky Ponting appeared in 92 Tests in Australia alone, sitting third on the list. Stuart Board, who has appeared in 91 Tests in England alone, sits fourth on the list. This unique record speaks the volume of cricket Anderson has played and it does look like the bowler won’t stop for now.
Marco Jansen misses out: Dean Elgar
Dean Elgar called it right at the toss in the ongoing second Test match against England and opted to bat first. Marco Jansen has been left out of the playing XI because of the conditions.
“There’s a little bit overhead but we’ve got to play what’s in front of us and it looks quite dry, hence why we’ve gone with the extra spin option with Simon Harmer. When you go with two spinners, you have to back yourself, go positive and bat first…Marco Jansen misses out, he did nothing wrong in the first game but it is just horses for courses,” he said at the toss.
South Africa won the first Test within three days and they’ll look to emulate the same in the second Test as well. England, on the other hand, would look to give the Proteas a befitting reply.
