Rediff
London, Aug 13: Anil Kumble surpassed Glenn McGrath to become the world's third highest wicket-taker in Tests as India bowled England out for 345 on the fourth day of the third and final Test at the Oval on Sunday.
Kumble, who scored his maiden Test century on Friday in India's first innings total of 664, dismissed Monty Panesar to end England's innings and improve his Test tally to 564.
The 36-year-old leg-spinner, India's leading wicket-taker, lies at third place after Australian counterpart Shane Warne (708) and Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (700) in the all-time bowlers' list.
Aussie Glenn McGrath, who quit international cricket after the World Cup, claimed 563 in Tests.
Kumble, playing in his 117th Test, also improved his international scalps to 900 - including 337 in ODIs - with his 563rd scalp on Saturday.
The Karnataka bowler became the first India and fifth overall to accomplish the rare feat.
Muralitharan (1157), Warne (1001), McGrath (949) and Pakistan's Wasim Akram (916) are the other four bowlers in the exclusive club.
England conceded a lead of 319 runs but India chose not to enforce the follow-on.
Praise for test century
The Hindu
Bangalore: Anil Kumble’s former teammates spoke with pride and warmth on his stupendous unbeaten 110.
Javagal Srinath was effusive in his praise and pointed out to Kumble’s never-say-die attitude. “The century just reiterated Anil’s unflinching commitment and passion for the game. When he walks in to bat, he is always intense and he walks in with the belief that he is a very good batsman and at the end of the day it is the belief that helps you.
“He has faith in himself. Yes I do remember that 88 against the South Africans in Kolkata in 1996 but during that knock he was overshadowed by Azhar’s century but at the Oval, he literally stole the show. I hope he goes on and does a double in this match — a century backed by a five-for and it would be great. I wish him the best,” Srinath said.
Serious batsman
Meanwhile for former state captain Sujith Somasundar, Kumble’s ton had an emotional angle to it. “I am so happy that he fulfilled his mom’s wishes. His mom had always wanted him to score a Test century.
“He is a very serious batsman and at the junior levels he used to play at the top-order and I remember him scoring a lot of runs for us in the Ranji Trophy when I started out. In a tight situation you could always bank on him to get those vital runs.
“He had come close to a Test century before and I am glad he did it at least now in the last phase of his career,” Sujith said.
And for former India and Karnataka batsman Vijay Bharadwaj, Kumble’s maiden century is something that must have happened a long time ago.
“It is actually a surprise that Anil took so long to score a Test century. I strongly believe that he should have done this a long time back.
“He has got six first class centuries and if you can get runs at that level, I am sure he had the talent and aptitude to do it at the International level too.
“I think in the 1999-2000 tour of Australia, he had the second best average after Sachin and I remember the Aussies used to struggle to get him out.
“May be somewhere down the line he got too preoccupied with his bowling but it is a fact that as a batsman he never threw his wicket away and many senior batsmen used to rely on Anil in the lower order to stay at one end while they were chasing centuries.
“In the Ranji nets, Anil was tentative and used to get out at least ten times but in a match situation he was a completely different batsman. I am happy for him and he is capable of much more,” Bharadwaj said.
Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin termed Anil Kumble’s century against England, as a remarkable feat.
“He always had it in him to score runs and I have shared some partnerships with him,” Azharuddin said on the sidelines of the KSCA All-India Invitation cricket tournament at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.