by Our Sports Desk

James Anderson became the first Englishman to take 400 Test wickets on a rain-affected first day of the second Test against New Zealand yesterday.

Anderson entered the match on 399 scalps and reached the landmark in his second over when Martin Guptill nicked to Ian Bell at second slip.

That made him just the 12th bowler in history to join the elite club, and only the eighth seamer.

The 32-year-old, who overtook Ian Botham as the country’s leading wicket-taker in Antigua last month, removed Kane Williamson two balls later as England made up for lost time following a washed out morning session.

The Black Caps hit back courtesy of some fearless counter-attacking batting from Tom Latham (51no) and Brendon McCullum (41no), reaching 123 for three at tea.

When the toss belatedly took place at 1.10pm, England captain Alastair Cook won and opted to make first use of a green-tinged pitch.

Anderson, as he has been so often, was the man to back up his skipper’s hunch.

After seven dot balls at Guptill, the eighth drew the edge and sailed at head height to Bell at second slip.

Anderson celebrated explosively, as a man who had joined the likes of Glenn McGrath, Richard Hadlee and Courtney Walsh in passing 400 wickets, is entitled to do.

Williamson was on his way out when the rain returned forcing another 10-minute delay.

When he did make it to the middle Anderson ensured it was for only two deliveries, earning a second edge with a full, testing ball that was easily held by Jos Buttler.