James Anderson has released a statement announcing that he will retire from Test cricket this summer.
The 41-year-old, who made his debut at Lord’s in 2003, is considered one of the greatest cricket bowlers of all time.
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Over the course of 187 Tests, Anderson took an incredible 700 wickets for England, which is the most ever by a Test bowler.
However, he will end his international career this summer after their first Test against the West Indies on July 10.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “Hello 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 child. I’m going to miss playing for England so much. But I know the time is right to step down and to let others achieve their dreams like I did, because there is no greater feeling.
“I couldn’t have achieved this without the love and support of Daniella, Lola, Ruby and my parents. A huge thank you to them. Thanks also to the players and coaches who made this the best job in the world. world.
“I’m excited about the new challenges ahead of me and filling my days with even more golf.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it always means a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it. See you in the Test, have a good time. Jimmy x”
England legend Steve Harmison spoke to talkSPORT about the impact Anderson had when rumors were reported on Friday.
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“You can’t express it in words,” he said when asked on Drive about the bowler’s incredible quality.
“I try to think of sportspeople around the world in their individual disciplines, whatever sport they are in, he is among the greatest of all time in sport.
“For what he’s done, the longevity he’s had, what he’s achieved. You have to remember, you see in bowling especially, especially nowadays, for someone to take 500 wickets is a ridiculous feat.
“So to go on and get 600 and then 700… if it’s the end for Jimmy, it’s probably the end of a generation of bowlers who will rank at the top of the overall wicket rankings and not come close .
“I don’t think anyone in the future will get 350 Test match wickets, so for Jimmy to get over 700 is a monumental achievement.”
Asked if it was the right time for Anderson to leave, he added: “It’s difficult. We’ve been saying it’s the right time for Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad for five years.
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“Every selector or every management team has done their best to move forward and done their best to look forward and build for the next Ashes.
“Do you know what’s happened? People who have been brought in haven’t been good enough, don’t have the standards of Anderson and Broad, keep getting injured, prioritize white-ball cricket.
“We’ve had these two great fast bowlers, we’ve got to keep going back to the well and asking them to keep going. So Stuart went there last year, it looks like Jimmy is going to go there this year.
“It’s probably a good time to look to the future, but I’d like to see Jimmy have a farewell match or a farewell summer if the bowlers aren’t fit to do it.
“Because I think he deserves everyone to say ‘thank you so much to Jimmy Anderson’ because of what he accomplished in this match.”
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