Veteran England pacer James Anderson broke a 71-year-old by just stepping onto the field on Day 1 of the second Test against India. At 41 years and 187 days, Anderson became the oldest pacer to play a Test on Indian soil.
He broke legendary Lala Amarnath's record created in December 1952. He was 41 years and 92 days old when he made his last Test appearance in India against Pakistan. For a visiting fast bowler, the record belonged to Australia's Ray Lindwall. The Aussie pacer was 38 years and 112 days old when he played a Test on Indian soil in 1960.
Anderson is also the fifth-oldest to feature in a Test in India. Former Zimbabwe cricketer John Traicos holds the record. The Egypt-born cricketer was 45 years and 300 days old when he played against Mohammad Azharuddin-led India in Delhi in March 1993. He is followed by Pakistan's Amir Elahi (44 years and 102 days), England's Harry Elliot (42 years and 100 days), and India's Vinoo Mankad (41 years and 300 days).
On the other end, debutant off-spinner Shoaib Bashir and Rehan Ahmed were not even born when Anderson made his Test debut in 2023. Rehan was born on August 13, 2004, whereas Bashir's date of birth is October 13, 2003.
Anderson opened the bowling for England after Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. He did not generate a good pace but was consistent with his lengths with the new ball. He conceded six runs and bowled one maiden in the five-over spell.
He was brought back into the attack towards the end of the first session. In the second over of his second spell, he managed to get an outside edge off Shubman Gill's bat which travelled to the boundary. On the fifth ball of the over, Gill went to defend but edged it to wicketkeeper Ben Foakes who took an excellent catch. This was the fifth time Anderson dismissed Gill in Test cricket.
Anderson bowled in short spells throughout the day. He did not get a wicket but turned out to be England's most economical bowler. He bowled 17 overs, including three maidens, and conceded 30 runs.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
Big update on Virat Kohli's availability for third Test against England in Rajkot
