James Anderson is about to reach a new milestone; Poised to join Shane Warne and Muttiah Murlidharan on the elite list

Anderson has so far taken a total of 695 wickets in the 184 matches he has played for his national side at an average of 26.34, conceding runs at an economy of 2.78 with 32 disposals with four wickets and 32 five-wicket hauls.

New Delhi: England veteran speedster James Anderson is just five wickets away from 700 Test scalps as he prepares for the third Test of the ongoing five-match Test series against India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

Anderson has so far taken a total of 695 wickets in the 184 matches he has played for his national side at an average of 26.34, conceding runs at an economy of 2.78 with 32 disposals with four wickets and 32 five-wicket hauls.

If he completes the milestone, he will become the first seamer to do so and third overall, after legendary spinners Muttiah Murlidharan (800) and Shane Warne (708).

Anderson has taken five wickets in one Test match played in Visakhapatnam, with best figures of 3/47.

England Cricket Board (ECB) on Wednesday named the playing XI for the third Test match against India in Rajkot as pacer Mark Wood replaced Shoaib Bashir in the playing squad. The series is currently tied at 1-1.

“The Three Lions have made one change, with Mark Wood replacing Shoaib Bashir,” the ECB statement said.

Captain Ben Stokes will play his 100th Test match for England at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

“Captain Ben Stokes will make his 100th Test appearance in Rajkot,” it added.

The third Test will begin on February 15 in Rajkot, while the fourth Test will start on February 23 in Ranchi. The fifth and final Test of the series will be played in Dharamsala from March 7.

England play eleven: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes (C), Ben Foakes, Rehan Ahmed, Tom Hartley, Mark Wood, James Anderson.