The Test summer and the third match of the series between England and Pakistan drifted quietly to a conclusion but provided the one unforgettable moment that was required of it: a 600th Test wicket for Jimmy Anderson. He is the first fast bowler to pass that remarkable landmark.
As the rain lashed down overnight and first thing on Tuesday, Anderson began the day in the precarious and peculiar position of not knowing when his next bowl would be. This is the final Test of the summer and, currently, England have no idea when they will next play.
The expectation, depending on the Covid-19 crisis, is that they will play Sri Lanka and India in the subcontinent, where Anderson’s involvement is not guaranteed for various reasons.
But, by 11am, the rain had relented and a five-hour mop-up operation allowed the players to take the field at 4.15pm.
There were 42 overs available but Anderson required just five to take the wicket he needed. Operating from the Pavilion End, with a reverse-swinging old ball, Anderson just managed to find a delivery that rose at Pakistan captain Azhar Ali, who could only edge to slip.
Joe Root took the catch, which is far from a given in the England cordon, or off Anderson’s bowling, right now. Anderson has seen four catches go down off his bowling this match.
Anderson could not resist a leap in celebration, then held the ball aloft to the empty Ageas Bowl. The weight of this milestone has appeared to weigh on him a little this week, and he hates being lavished with attention.
Anderson is a medical and statistical marvel. Cricketers often talk about wanting to get better – Anderson has actually done it.
If you took out the 216 wickets he has taken overseas, Anderson would still be second on England’s list of wicket-takers, behind only Stuart Broad. He has taken 332 wickets since turning 30, and would be England’s third-highest wicket-taker if you only counted those.
With 268, he would be sixth if you only counted his wickets before turning 30.
And he has no intention of finishing yet. Managed carefully, this need not be his final major statistical hurdle. Next up will be Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets, which is a realistic target in the next 12 months. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) lie beyond that.
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England took one other wicket, with Joe Root getting Asad Shafiq just before the new ball was taken, but it was still a slight surprise to see hands shaken just as the final hour began. By then, Babar Azam had reached 63 not out in another delightful display.
After weeks in a bio-bubble, it was hard to begrudge the players an early departure. England owe a debt of gratitude to Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes for their match-winning partnership at Old Trafford three weeks ago.
