IND vs ENG 2nd Test: James Anderson Becomes Fifth Oldest Player To Feature In Tests In India

Senior pacer James Anderson on Friday (February 2) went on to join a unique list after he was named in the England playing 11 for the second Test against India, which is taking place in Vizag.

At 41 years old and 187 days, Anderson became the fifth oldest cricketer to feature in a Test match in India. The 41-year-old, who has 690 scalps in Test cricket, did not play in the series opener in Hyderabad, but found a place in the 11 for the Vizag Test.

Anderson replaced Mark Wood in the side to enter the unique club of oldest cricketers to play a Test in India. Zimbabwe's John Traicos tops the list, having featured in a Test in Delhi in 1993 when he was 45 years and 300 days old. Here is a look at the top five oldest players to feature in a Test in India:

Oldest players to feature in a Test in India

45 years 304 days - John Traicos (Zimbabwe) in Delhi - 1993
44 years 105 days - Amir Elahi (Pakistan) in Kolkata - 1952
42 years 103 days - Harry Elliot (England) in Chennai - 1934
41 years 305 days - Vinoo Mankad (India) in New Delhi - 1959
41 years 187 days - James Anderson (England) in Visakhapatnam - 2024

In his 21-year Test career, Anderson has played 184 Tests, scalping 690 wickets, including 32 five-wicket hauls and 3 ten wicket matches at an average of 26.42. He is currently the oldest active Test cricketer and also the third highest wicket-taker in the longest format.

With 690 wickets, Anderson is only behind spin greats - Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan and Australia's Shane Warne in the most wickets in Tests list. The 41 year old is just 18 wickets away from going level with Warne and is the highest wicket-taking pacer in history of the game.