Anderson's 700th Test scalp conquers 'insurmountable summit'

England's James Anderson has become only the third bowler – and the first seamer – to claim 700 Test wickets.

The 41-year-old reached his milestone in the fifth and final Test against India in Dharamsala on Saturday.

Anderson, already the most successful fast bowler in Test cricket history, entered his 187th Test two wickets short of the 700-mark.

Anderson clean-bowled Shubman Gill on Friday, before Kuldeep Yadav became his 700th victim on day three of the contest, when the batter fell caught behind.

The paceman held the ball aloft while his teammates mobbed him.

The travelling Barmy Army' fans gave him a standing ovation as Anderson led his team off the field at the innings break at the picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.

Sri Lanka's Muthiah Muralidaran leads the all-time list with 800 wickets from 133 Tests, followed by Australia leg-spin great Shane Warne (708).

While Anderson is immensely skilled, his remarkable longevity as a fast bowler, attributed to his smooth action, continues to amaze the followers of the game.

"At the foothills of the Himalayas, James Anderson has reached the insurmountable summit for a fast bowler in Test match cricket," former England bowler Steven Finn told the BBC.

"Nobody will ever take more than 700 Test wickets as a fast bowler. He's a remarkable man and player and he's still going."

Anderson made his England debut in a one-day international against Zimbabwe in 2002 and played his first Test five months later against Australia.

In his 22 years in international cricket, the Lancashire player has established himself as a complete bowler, who can make the ball "talk" with his command on swing bowling – both traditional and reverse.