Sports News
March 11, 2006
Mohali, Mar 11: Anil Kumble became the first Indian and fifth cricketer to claim 500 wickets in the history of Test cricket on Saturday.
The Karnataka leg spinner reached the milestone when he dismissed Stephen Harmison leg before wicket in England's first innings on the third day of the second Test in Mohali.
The 35-year old bowler, playing his 105th Test, joined the list that includes Shane Warne (659), Muttiah Muralitharan (600), Glenn McGrath (542) and Courtney Walsh (519).
Fact Box:
Born: Oct. 17, 1970; Bangalore.
Played 105 test matches (including series in progress), taking 501 wickets. Best bowling 10-74.
Made test debut in 1990 against England. Wrist spinner relying more on top spin and bounce than sideways movement.
Lethal on slow home pitches for over a decade.
Came to prominence during England's 1993 tour of India, setting up a 3-0 series sweep with 21 wickets.
Wisden Cricketer of the Year 1996.
Became the second player after England spinner Jim Laker to take all 10 wickets in a test innings to set up a series-levelling victory against Pakistan in New Delhi in 1999.
Sidelined for more than a year after injuring shoulder in October 2000. Underwent surgery in January 2001.
Took his 300th one-day wicket against West Indies in Jamshedpur in 2002, becoming only the third bowler to reach the milestone in both forms of the game.
In January 2004 took 8-141 in Sydney, the best by any bowler against Australia since Tom Richardson's 8-94 for England in 1898.
Took his 500th wicket in the second test against England in Mohali, trapping tail-ender Steve Harmison for a first ball duck.
From Daijiworld archives: