On this day: April 17, 2015: James Anderson breaks Ian Botham's England Test-wicket record

'The Burnley Express' reaches 384 scalps during first Test against West Indies

Ian Botham with James Anderson after the bowler had broken the former all-rounder's record to become England's record Test ticket-taker during the first Test against West Indies in Antigua, at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on April 17, 2015. AFP

James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin to become England's record Test wicket-taker. AFP

English fast bowler James Anderson celebrates after taking the wicket of Marlon Samuels to equal Ian Botham's record. AFP

James Anderson celebrates after his record-breaking wicket. AFP

James Anderson after going close to claiming Denesh Ramdin's wicket. AFP

James Anderson of England successfuly claims the wicket of Denesh Ramdin. AFP

James Anderson is mobbed by teammates after breaking the record. AFP

James Anderson celebrates after his record-breaking wicket. AFP

Ian Botham shaked James Anderson's hand after the match. AFP

The day was drawing to a close when James Anderson broke the record of Ian Botham to become England's most prolific Test wicket-taker.

Captain Alistair Cook caught West Indies' Denesh Ramdin at first slip during the final day of the first Test in Antigua, meaning Anderson surpassed the great all-rounder's mark of 383 wickets.

The 'Burnley Express' began the match on 380 victims and had claimed another two in the Windies' first innings.

On the morning of April 17, 2015, he had Marlon Samuels caught at gully to move level with Botham. The record-breaker would take a few hours to materialise.

There was little over an hour's play remaining when the 32-year-old located the edge of Ramdin's bat and Cook took a clean catch at slip. Anderson was then mobbed by his delighted teammates.

His wife and two young daughters were present at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium to see his proud moment, as was Botham.

His record – 383 wickets from 102 Tests at an average of 28.40 – had stood for 23 years, was even more remarkable when you consider he also scored 5,200 runs with the bat at an average of 33.54. Anderson, meanwhile, had reached 384 wickets from 100 Tests with an average of 29.77.

"Taking over from an English legend is a hugely proud moment for me," Anderson said after the match that had finished in a draw.

"I love taking wickets for England. You pick up milestones along the way and it was a huge landmark for me picking up 100 Tests this week.

"I know my game now. When I started I didn't have a clue. I ran up, shut my eyes and just bowled as fast as I could. I've developed skills over the years that stood me in good stead.

'It's not been a target, I love taking wickets and playing for England and that's all I'm worried about. You pick up milestones along the way.

"It's a huge moment for me as well playing in my 100th Test this week. It's a dream come true to play for England, let alone playing 100 Tests."

Botham, who was commentating for Sky Sports on the day, said: "I couldn't be happier. I've enjoyed watching him bowl; he richly deserves it.

"He's a magnificent performer. When you are a swing bowler you've got to learn how to do it, and the ball he got the wicket with was a terrific delivery."

And the plaudits would keep on coming. "What a bowler Jimmy Anderson has been for England – a joy to watch throughout the years," said former England captain Michael Vaughan.

Another former England captain and all-rounder, Andrew Flintoff, said: "He's an England great now. However, he could end up being one of the best ever to play Test cricket ... put up there with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.

"I think that will be an amazing achievement for Jimmy ... and it's hard not to be happy for him as well, because he is such a good lad.

"He's a lad from Burnley [who has become] England's best ever bowler. I can't imagine he wants to stop there."

South Africa’s Dale Steyn was left as the only active player ahead of Anderson, who stood 14th on an all-time list headed by three spin bowlers.

Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan had taken 800 Test wickets, Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne 708, while Anil Kumble of India claimed 609.

McGrath, of Australia, was the leading seam bowler with 563, followed by West Indies quick Courtney Walsh who finished off the top five with 519.

Fast forward five years, and the remarkable Anderson is still going but is now sitting fourth in the table with 584 scalps from 151 matches and is on his own as the leading fast bowler.

Only Father Time and Anderson's creaking body will prevent him leap-frogging Kumble and sealing his spot in the top three.

It seems unlikely, with the huge workloads of the modern game, that Anderson's total, whatever that ends up as, will ever be beaten by any bowler and certainly not another paceman.

Ahead of last summer's Ashes series, McGrath said: "To be 37-plus, and to have played 148 Test matches, it's absolutely incredible.

"To think that he's put his body through that much pain and stress, and everything that goes into being a fast bowler, and he's still going out there and going the business.

"When that ball's swinging, in English conditions ... there's no-one better."