Veteran England pacer James Anderson on Saturday (May 11) announced his decision to retire from international cricket. The Lord’s Test against the West Indies later this year in July will mark the end of his illustrious Test career that started in 2003.
Anderson is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history with 700 scalps to his name from 187 matches. He has a chance to go past Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets in his farewell Test.
Earlier this year, Anderson became the first fast bowler to take 700 wickets in the longest format. The 41-year-old achieved this feat by dismissing Kuldeep Yadav during the Dharamsala Test against India.
"I feel good about it. I have had an amazing career. Stuff around retirement has been hanging around for years. I feel really lucky I have managed to get to this age and still be playing at a very high level,” Anderson said on BBC’s Tailenders podcast.
Talking about his retirement, Anderson said it was prompted by England’s future in Test cricket as playing in the away Ashes in 2025-26 was a far cry for him.
He added that with England’s focus on the future, it was the right time for him to bid adieu to international cricket.
"It was sort of just looking ahead and could a 43-year-old me make the Ashes in 18 months’ time and we sort of came to the decision that probably not," Anderson stated.
"From my point of view, it feels like a stretch at this stage of my career and from their [England's] point of view, there are 15 or so Tests before the Ashes. It gives them time to give other guys Test matches and experiences before that. It feels like the right thing for me and the team going forward. It feels like a good time," he added.
Anderson revealed he has held talks with England head coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes about remaining the part of the team in a coaching capacity.
"I feel excited about what the future might hold, whether that is potentially to stick around with the team this summer in a different sort of capacity. It would be nice," Anderson said.
He also left the door open to continuing to play county cricket for Lancashire.
"I am not 100% set on what I am going to do next," Anderson said. "That will be a conversation down the line and see what they [Lancashire] want to do and if I have the desire and willingness as well."
Anderson said his mom slightly emotional after he shared his retirement decision with family members.
"I feel relieved it is out and people know and I don’t have to keep it a secret," Anderson said. "My dad was like 'alright yep, cheers'. He probably had a suspicion. My mum was slightly more emotional."
James Anderson will finish his career with 188 Tests, second only to Sachin Tendulkar’s 200.
