England star James Anderson has revealed that July’s clash against the West Indies at Lord’s will be his final Test appearance.
The 41-year-old became the first seamer and just the third bowler in history to reach 700 Test wickets, after spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, in his most recent outing against India in March.
But Anderson has decided to call time on his Test career after talks with England head coach Brendon McCullum, who wants to modify his side’s seam attack and build towards the future with one eye on the 2025-26 Ashes.
Setting the first Test against the West Indies as his farewell date, Anderson wrote on Instagram: “Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test.
“It’s been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I’ve loved since I was a kid.
“I’m going to miss walking out for England so much. 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 thanked his wife Daniella, their children Lola and Ruby and his parents for their support, adding: “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 always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it.”
It is understood McCullum made a visit to the UK recently from his native New Zealand and spoke with Anderson about his future during a round of golf.
Anderson, who made his Test debut in 2003, is second only on the all-time list of Test appearances behind batting great Sachin Tendulkar, who played 200 times in the longest format for India.
Swing specialist Anderson also featured in 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is before his international white-ball career ended in 2015 – the same year he overtook Ian Botham’s 383 dismissals to become England’s record Test wicket-taker.
Three and a half years later, Anderson overhauled Australia seamer Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets to become Test cricket’s most successful fast bowler.
Anderson struggled during the drawn 2023 Ashes in England, taking only five wickets in four matches.
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.
Anderson has taken just 15 wickets in his last eight Tests at an average of 50.8 in the past 12 months.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Gareth Copley/Getty Images
