England paceman James Anderson has said that he is 'hugely proud' to surpass former all-rounder Sir Ian Botham's record as the nation's top wicket-taker in the long format of the game.
All-rounder Botham took 383 wickets in 102 Tests between 1977 and 1992, as well as scored 5,200 runs at an average of 33.54. Anderson bettered Botham's tally in two matches less as England pressed for victory against the West Indies at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in the first Test of the three-match series.
The seamer had West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin caught by Alastair Cook at slip for his 384th victim as the first Test in Antigua was drawn, the BBC reported.
Anderson said that his immediate emotion was that they were back in the game, as they were hoping to get the win. He added that taking over from an English legend was a hugely proud moment for him.
West Indies -set a notional 438 to win- batted out the final day on a placid surface to reach 350-7 thanks to Jason Holder's superb unbeaten 103, his maiden first-class century. He added 105 for the seventh wicket with Denesh Ramdin, who made 57, and shared an unbroken stand of 56 with Kemar Roach for the eighth.
Anderson was playing his 100th Test, having taken five wickets on his debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's in 2003. He said that the difference from when he started is that he knows his game now, adding that when he started he didn't have a clue; claiming that he ran up and bowled as hard as he could.
Anderson said that he loves taking wickets for England, adding that one picks up milestones along the way and it was a huge landmark for him picking up 100 Tests this week. However, he added that his target is to keep his place in the side, as they have a hugely talented side at the minute.
