England batter Jonny Bairstow to reach 100 career test matches in series-ending meeting with India

DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — England batter Jonny Bairstow is set to play his 100th game in test cricket after being included in the team for the series-ending test against India that starts Thursday.

The 34-year-old Bairstow will become the 17th player to reach a career century of test matches for England.

He needs to score just 26 runs to reach 6,000 in tests, also as the 17th England player to reach the milestone.

Bairstow’s father, David, played four tests for England as a wicketkeeper from 1979-81.

The England team to play in Dharamshala includes bowler James Anderson for his 187th test — second on the all-time list behind the 200 played by retired India batting great Sachin Tendulkar.

Anderson is on 698 career wickets and would become just the third to reach 700 after spinners Muttiah Muralitharan for Sri Lanka and Australian Shane Warne.

India already won the series against England before the fifth and final test, taking a 3-1 lead despite losing the first match in Hyderabad.

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AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket