James Anderson England’s all-time leading wicket-taker added yet another feather to his cap when he claimed his 600th test wicket against Pakistan by dismissing captain Azhar Ali in the ongoing test series on Tuesday. Anderson who had started his career against Zimbabwe in 2003, had clinched the first of his five wickets by dismissing M A Vermeulen in the match.

Anderson is the all-time highest wicket-taker for England and is the only pace bowler in International cricket to secure 600 wickets.

Anderson was greeted by his teammates when he removed Pakistan captain Azhar Ali for his 600th wicket in the final test of the series, however, it was not the only token of appreciation he would receive on Tuesday.

Wishes and greeting came pouring in from around the world as cricketing legends took to social media platforms to wish England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

Anderson’s 600th Test wicket ensured his entry into an elite club of cricketers, which only three bowlers before him had achieved. The only bowlers with more Test wickets than the 38-year-old Anderson are a trio of retired spinners — Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan (800 Test wickets), Australia’s Shane Warne (708) and India’s Anil Kumble (619). 

India’s right arm leg spinner Anil Kumble congratulated Anderson on Twitter, he tweeted “Congratulations James Anderson on your 600 wickets! Massive effort from a great fast bowler. Welcome to the club.”

Likewise, former Aussie spinner Shane Warne also tweeted his greetings to Anderson, and also shared a picture of the England pacer.

Warne wrote, “Congrats on the 600th Jimmy – Awesome effort buddy.”

Pakistan legend and left-arm fast bowler Wasim Akram tweeted his greetings to England’s number one pacer. Akram wrote “Champion bowler James Anderson! Congrats on reaching the first-ever 600 wickets for a fast bowler.. hard work, passion, and never-day-die approach have been the hallmark of your career.. doyen of fast bowlers, best wishes for the rest of your career ”

Former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly also congratulated Anderson on his accomplishment, Ganguly tweeted “Well done James Anderson.. this milestone  is just greatness ..156 test matches as fast bowler is just unthinkable..u will make every young fast bowler believe that greatness is achievable .”

Similarly former Pakistani pacer, Shoaib Akhtar, also congratulated the English pacer on his milestone. Akhtar tweeted “Incredible 600 by Jimmy anderson. What an amazing achievement. Playing 156 Test Matches for a medium-fast bowler is no less achievement. Cheers mate.”

The 38-year-old Anderson is currently ranked eighth in the ICC Test Bowling Rankings.