BURNLEY'S Jimmy Anderson has become England's leading wicket-taker in Test cricket after surpassing Sir Ian Botham's record.

Anderson broke the record in England's Test match with the West Indies in Antigua, going past Botham's haul of 383 dismissals when he had Denesh Ramdin caught at slip, in what was also his 100th Test appearance for his country.

The 32-year-old came through the ranks at Burnley Cricket Club, and current chairman Michael Brown, himself a former First-class player, said the town could take pride in his achievements.

“He’s not only excelled on the cricketing stage with his performances but off the field he is a great ambassador," said Brown.

“He still looks out for the club and he is certainly one of the names that has put Burnley as a town on the map.

“It’s an amazing achievement to think a town like Burnley could produce someone who has gone to become England’s most successful wicket taker.

“He’s still fit enough and bowling well enough to put a real distance between him and Botham over the next couple of years.”

Anderson's appearances for Lancashire have become rarer as his success with England has increased, but Old Trafford remains a big part of his career.

Ashley Giles, the Red Rose's new head coach and cricket director, said: "He’s a fantastic performer. It’s amazing to think he’s now on the threshold of being England’s leading wicket taker. It’s gone so quickly.
“Everyone at Lancashire is immensely proud of his achievements."

Glen Chapple played with Anderson on his Lancashire debut and he is pleased to see the success that has followed.

“We’re happy for his success," he said. “His achievements are something that everybody at Lancashire can be happy about.”

Lancashire captain Tom Smith added: "It’s no surprise he’s England’s all-time leading wicket-taker. He’s deserved that success, he works extremely hard.

“When he comes back to Lancashire his desire to win shines through.”

Anderson is England's finest performer from East Lancashire since David Lloyd, from Accrington, who is impressed with the way Anderson has improved over the years.

“I really like the way that he’s developed his bowling over the years – in particular his consistency," he said. “I can’t help but think that would be the benefit of having bowling coaches alongside him, in particular David Saker.

“He is the leader of the attack; he’s a very quietly spoken lad off the field – a really nice polite lad, but put cricket whites on him and he gets a bit serious."