#OTD in 2020: James Anderson became the first seamer to take 600 Test wickets
James Anderson celebrates his 600th Test wicket (PC: Twitter)
On this day, two years ago, James Anderson became the first seamer to reach the coveted milestone of 600 wickets in the longest format. He achieved this unparalleled feat in the home series against Pakistan at Southampton.
Crawley and Buttler deliver their best to boost England
Opting to bat first, England lost their openers Rory Burns and Dom Sibley early. Arriving at number three, Zak Crawley delivered his career-best innings of 267 off 293 balls, laced with 34 fours and a six.
Furthermore, Jos Buttler also hit his highest red-ball score of 152 off 311 balls, with the help of 13 fours and two sixes. The duo stitched a mammoth stand of 359 runs to push the hosts to a strong score.
In the end, Chris Woakes contributed 40 to help England to declare on 583/8. Shaheen Afridi, Yasir Shah and Fawad Alam scalped two wickets apiece for Pakistan.
James Anderson scripts history
In response, openers Shan Masood and Abid Ali were dismissed to Anderson, who waved his magic with the new ball.
The experienced campaigner followed it up by sending Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq back to the hut as well. It was a fighting innings from Azhar Ali (141*) and a support from Mohammad Rizwan (53), which helped Pakistan to finish on 273.
Anderson took 5/56 in 23 overs and was the pick of the bowlers for the Three Lions, to enforce a follow-on.
The then 38-year-old took his 600th red-ball wicket by getting Azhar holed out to Joe Root in the slips in the second innings on Day five (25 August).
The match ended as a draw with the visitors scoring 187/4, with Babar scoring an unbeaten 63 off 92 balls.
 "Tejas Rathi")
