384 not out: James Anderson takes record England Test wicket

James Anderson became England's highest wicket taker in Test cricket on Friday, claiming his 384th victim in the first Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

The 32-year-old fast bowler surpassed Sir Ian Botham's haul of 383 wickets when he had the opposing captain Denesh Ramdin caught for 57 by his own skipper Alastair Cook at first slip in the final session on the last day.

The Lancastrian had earlier equalled the 30-year-old record England haul when Marlon Samuels, on 23, flashed at a wide ball and was well-caught by off-spinner James Tredwell in the gully.

Anderson was playing in his 100th Test since his debut in 2003, when he had figures of 5-73 against Zimbabwe.

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The record bears testament to the late blooming of Anderson's talent. In his first 20 Tests, he took 62 wickets at an average of only 39.20 and he was in and out of the international team as a result of form and injuries. In his last 80 Tests, he has added another 322 wickets and has an average of 29.74.

His career-best match figures of 11-71 came as England destroyed Pakistan in the first Test at Trent Bridge in 2010.

He is still some way behind the all-time record holder, Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan, on 800.

However, the landmark wicket was not enough for England to win the match, as the West Indies ended on 350-7 to earn a draw, with all-rounder Jason Holder scoring a maiden first-class century.

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