Mirpur, July 30 (IANS) South Africa pacer Dale Steyn on Thursday became the fastest bowler to bag 400 Test wickets in terms of balls bowled.
Steyn’s 400th scalp was Bangladesh opener Tamim Iqbal, who edged the ball straight to Proteas skipper Hashim Amla at slip on the first day of the second Test here at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium.
Former New Zealand pacer Richard Hadlee, who was the previous quickest to the milestone in terms of balls bowled, took at least 3,600 deliveries more than those taken by Steyn.
The 32-year-old tearaway fast bowler was second quickest to the milestone along with Hadlee, in terms of matches played. Sri Lankan spinning legend Muthiah Muralitharan did it in 80 matches.
On a day for milestones in world cricket, Australia’s Mitchell Johnson took his 300th Test wicket — England’s Jonny Bairstow in the third Ashes Test at Birmingham.
If England pacer Stuart Broad — currently on 298 — takes two in Australia’s second innings, then for the first time two bowlers would have their 300th victim in the same game.