Staff Reporter.
England star James Anderson believes the “time is right” to end his Test career after revealing July’s clash against the West Indies at Lord’s will be his final appearance in the five-day format.
The 41-year-old, England’s leading wicket-taker and one of the greatest bowlers of all time, said the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s on 10 July will be his last.
The decision comes after Anderson held talks with Test coach Brendon McCullum, who wants to build a bowling attack for the future.
“I’m going to miss walking out for England so much,” Anderson said in a statement.
“But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling.”
Anderson made his debut in 2003 and has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests – the most by any pace bowler in Test history.
He is third on the all-time list of wicket-takers in Tests behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Australia’s Shane Warne.
Anderson was due to play two matches for Lancashire in June but it is now unclear whether he will play for his county again.
“It has been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I’ve loved since I was a kid,” Anderson said.
“I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it.”
Richard Thompson, the chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board, said English cricket owes Anderson a “send-off like no other”.
“I don’t think we’ll ever see a bowler to match Jimmy again,” he said. “It has been an honour as an England fan to watch him, and to marvel at his skill with the ball.
“To still be bowling at the top of his game at 41 is remarkable, and he is a true inspiration and role model for peers and younger generations alike.”
His long-time new-ball partner Stuart Broad, England’s second most successful bowler, retired after the dramatic finale to that Ashes, when Ben Stokes’s side won at The Oval to end the series all square at 2-2.