James Anderson finally bid goodbye to international cricket after England defeated West Indies in the first Test of the three-match series, that was played at Lord’s.
Anderson’s 21-year-old cricketing career saw him take 704 wickets in 188 Tests, the most by any England player in a five-day game. He finished third on the most wickets list behind Shane Warne’s 708 and Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800 scalps. Anderson also finished second in most Tests played behind Sachin Tendulkar’s 200.
To celebrate his retirement from the game, Anderson made the special moment further memorable by downing a pint of Guinness beer at the Lord’s balcony and dedicating it to the fans gathered inside the stadium.
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Anderson revealed that while that may have been a challenge he is still yet to wrap his head around the current feeling he is experiencing.
“Yeah, there have been different emotions down building development. Day one, walking out today with both teams climbed up again was pretty emotional. I forgot what I was trying to do with the ball when I called that first ball. But yeah, it’s been incredible. As I said, the reaction to the crowds was not calm. Quite haven’t wrapped my head around it right now. But yeah, it’s just been an amazing 20 years and I’m so proud of every moment,” said Anderson after the game.
The veteran pacer took a moment to thank his family, who were a part of his journey and played important roles as Anderson achieved enormous success in his career that spanned little over two decades.
“I mean, you can’t have a long career without having support behind you. Every player will say the same. You know, we go on tour for long periods and I think we talk a lot in the dressing room about great memories as a team. I think it’s important that it’s the families as well that are great memories, a long place. It’s their journey as well as ours, so to see, as I said, my kid was ringing the bell. Amazing. Something that they’ll not forget. I just hope that they’ve had a good time, as good a time as I have,” he added.
Anderson also recalled some of the best moments of his career and said: “I think as I, as I mentioned, like winning, winning series and winning Test matches has been the only thing I’ve been interested in since I came into the team. Winning in Australia, winning in India, becoming the number one side of the world, and contributing to, those series as well, taking, taking wickets. I think that they’re the things that I’ll remember forever, play with the grace of the game as well. It’s just been really, really special.
