On his final day in Test cricket, James Anderson experienced a whirlwind of emotions. The 41-year-old, who has enjoyed a 21-year-long career, demonstrated he still had plenty to offer by taking 3 for 32 and teaming up with debutant Gus Atkinson to secure a convincing win for England in the Lord's Test against the West Indies.
Anderson, who ended his illustrious career with 704 Test wickets, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he received. Reflecting on his career, he noted that finishing at Lord's, where he debuted against Zimbabwe in 2003, was a fitting end. He shared his feelings with Sky Cricket, saying he was proud of his achievements and moved by the crowd's reaction and the team's support.
Playing at the highest level for over two decades, especially as a fast bowler with minimal injuries, is a remarkable feat. Anderson acknowledged this, expressing his happiness at having stayed mostly injury-free and his privilege of representing England for such a long period.
Anderson could have mirrored his long-time partner Stuart Broad’s farewell moment by taking the final wicket of the match but missed a simple catch. Instead, Atkinson claimed the last wicket, marking a symbolic passing of the torch as he finished with 12 wickets in the match.
Despite his disappointment over the dropped catch, Anderson praised the debutants, highlighting Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith's impressive performances. He cherished the moments of celebrating victories and performances with his teammates, something he said he would miss dearly.
The farewell festivities began with Anderson's daughters ringing the bell on the first day and included a guard of honour from both teams. The celebrations concluded with Anderson receiving a special painting of his 700th Test wicket and an ice bucket from the ECB.
Anderson also expressed gratitude to his family, acknowledging their support throughout his career and their involvement in his farewell. He mentioned the importance of creating memories for both players and their families, appreciating the sacrifices made by his loved ones.
Although Anderson hasn't finalised his future plans, he intends to stay with the team as a bowling mentor for the rest of the summer, helping the bowling group before deciding on his next steps.