Botham hopes Anderson breaks his record

England

Former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham hopes James Anderson breaks his record for Test wickets, with the Lancashire paceman needing another 28 scalps to pass the 383 Botham took.

Former England all-rounder Sir Ian Botham hopes James Anderson breaks his record for Test wickets, with the Lancashire paceman needing another 28 scalps to pass the 383 Botham took.

With Anderson second on the list of England wicket-takers, Botham was not selfish about his landmark, saying he thought the swing bowler could take those 28 wickets in the five-match series against India.

Botham wrote in the <i>Daily Mirror</i>: "He is 28 wickets shy of my tally at the moment and if he stays fit I expect to see him take the record during the India series because he is still at the peak of his powers.

"It should only be a pit stop for a wonderful bowler, who will go on to take 400-plus wickets and set a big total for the next generation to chase.

"I enjoyed taking every one of my 383 wickets, but records are there to be broken and I'll have a special bottle of something waiting for Jimmy when he goes past it."

Beefy also had a few words about Ben Stokes to share, as the Durham all-rounder was recalled to the Test squad after month on the sidelines due to injury. Botham felt his efforts on the county circuit shoud get him back in the team immediately.

He wrote: "There are a couple of players knocking on the door in county cricket, none more so than Ben Stokes, who has done what the selectors asked and should be back in the fold.

"Stokes is a Test-class cricketer who makes things happen. The sooner he is back playing for England the better and nothing says I'm ready like the 10-wicket haul he picked up against Sussex this week."

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