Swann misses Anderson partnership

Graeme Swann, a good friend of Anderson and former team-mate, used to field at second slip for England, the exact place where the catch was taken to bring up Anderson's landmark.

And Swann, who retired from England duty in December 2013 midway through the Ashes whitewash Down Under, admitted his desire to have taken the catch after also pouching Anderson's 300th Test scalp.

Speaking as a commentator on the BBC's Test Match Special, he said: "I'd like to have been there at second slip to catch that for Jimmy.

"I caught his 300th, though I had to pick a bit of grass out of the ball as it may have touched the grass."

Anderson became the first Englishman to the record and only the 12th bowler overall, less than a month after surpassing Sir Ian Botham as England's leading wicket-taker of all-time.

Swann said: "He doesn't enjoy being in the spotlight - he wanted Botham's record out of the way in the West Indies - and having got that early wicket, he'll probably bowl better now."

The 36-year-old then cheekily added: "He'll look back on this match and worry about the haircut he's had - it looks like the nit nurse has got to him."

Anderson became the first Englishman to 400 wickets in the longest format of the game when he took the edge of Martin Guptill with his eighth ball in the second Investec Test against New Zealand at Headingley.

Another member of the 400 club, Harbhajan Singh, was quick to offer his congratulations.

The former India spinner, who took 413 wickets in 101 Tests, said on Twitter: "Wellcome to 400 test wickets club @jimmy9 great efforts!!!Keep going."

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior also took to Twitter to salute the efforts of Anderson, who took Test wicket number 401 when Kane Williamson edged behind two balls after the wicket of Guptill.

"400 Test wickets!!! Outstanding effort @jimmy9 congratulations mate #400club," tweeted Prior.

Former England seamer Darren Gough, who took 229 Test wickets, said: "Awesome performer @jimmy9 Another new ball scalp to make the magic 400 #trademark."