Kumble's unique feat of 500 wickets

Mohali, Mar 11 (UNI) On the first day of the second Test match between India and England at the PCA stadium here, England player Paul Collingwood described Anil Kumble as a ''tricky bowler'' who would be difficult to combat as he would be bowling lots of overs in the ongoing series.

Kumble, a mechanical engineer, lived up to his reputation on the third day of the second Test today achieving a rare milestone by claiming 500 wickets in Test. He became the first Indian to perform this unique feat.

With four tantalising deliveries he captured three wickets to write his name in the record books.

Before the Mohali Test, Kumble required only four wickets to join the 500-wicket club. His impressive bowling figures in the England first innings were 28-8-70-2.

Today, he consumed Geraint Jones (52), Stelle Hamirson and Monty Panesar (0). Earlier in the innings, he had claimed Ian Bell (38) and P Collingwood (25).

Thirty-five year old Kumble, who made his debut in 1990 at Manchester, was playing the seventh Test at Mohali. Playing against England in 15 Tests, Kumble has so far taken 69 wickets. This was the 32nd time that he had taken five or more wickets in an innings.

Other players who have captured 500 or more wickets are Shane Warne (659 wickets), Muralitharan (600), Glenn McGarth (542) and Courtney Walsh (519).

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