James Anderson
Anderson becomes the first Englishman to reach the 500 club. Reuters

KEY POINTS

  • The 35-year-old become just the sixth bowler to reach that milestone.
  • West Indies lead by 22 runs in the deciding Test match.

James Anderson has achieved cricket immortality by becoming the first ever Englishman to reach 500 Test wickets, on day two of action against West Indies at Lord's.

Anderson's moment came in the second innings of the final Test, dismissing Kraigg Brathwaite to become just the sixth bowler in history to reach the magnificent milestone in what is his 129th Test match for his country.

Sir Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan holds the Test record with 900 wickets, with Australia great Shane Warne next in line on 708.

All five still ahead of 35-year-old Anderson have already retired from the game.

His feat comes at the scene of his first ever Test wicket at Lord's in 2003 where he bowled Zimbabwe's Mark Vermeulen, surpassing the great Sir Ian Botham's long-standing haul of 383 in 2015.

The deciding Test finished finely poised with West Indies ending the day 93-3 having opened up a lead of 22 runs.

Lancashire bowler Anderson began a third day of action that was delayed by rain on 497 wickets, moving to within one of the 500 club in the West Indies' first innings after dismissing Brathwaite and Kyle Hope.

Friday morning's session was disrupted by rain with the covers coming out after just 20 minutes of play but conditions improved after an early lunch with Ben Stokes leading the charge for the hosts.

His stumps were sent flying twice off three balls in a bizarre sequence when Shannon Gabriel made up for an error that gave the England batsman a short-lived reprieve.

Stokes had already reached his 12th Test half century when Gabriel bowled through on the 39th over, only for the wicket to be wiped out after the Windies bowler clearly overstepped.

But on his very next ball, Gabriel provided a carbon copy delivery, smashing through to dismiss Stokes for 60. Kemar Roach's five wickets helped the Windies along the way.

Shortly after, England were bowled out for 194, giving them a lead of 71. Anderson's moment came when his vicious inswinger crashed through to take middle and off stumps to send Brathwaite on his way for six.

Anderson took his tally to 501 after bowling Kieran Powell (45) late on the day after Stuart Broad had already dismissed Hope, but Shai Hope's beaten 35 saw the visitors inch into the lead as they chase their first win on these shores in 28 years.