Jimmy Anderson admits ‘the time is right’ to step down as another Ashes series just seemed too far-fetched for the England legend
Jimmy Anderson will end his illustrious Test career at the proper venue at Lord’s this summer after admitting making the next Ashes was too difficult.
Becoming only the third player in Test history to take 700 Test wickets on the tour of India earlier this year, Anderson refused to rule out one last skirmish with the Australians before hanging up his boots.
However, he told the BBC’s Tailenders podcast yesterday that the 2025-26 series Down Under had been taken off target during an April meeting with England coach Brendon McCullum.
“We have evaluations every six months and we were talking about my future. I feel like I’ve been talking about it for 10 years with every coach I’ve had asking me: ‘How long are you going to play ?”
And it was just a question of the future: could a 43-year-old be in the Ashes in 18 months and make a decision, probably not,” Anderson said.
James Anderson to retire from England duty after first Test of the summer at Lord’s
Anderson (2013 Ashes winner photo) took the most five-wicket hauls in English cricket history
The bowler (left, with Nasser Hussain in 2003) had a 22-year international career
“From my point of view it seems like a difficult time at this stage of my career and from their point of view there are about 15 Tests before the Ashes so it gives them time to get some testing and experimentation done. other guys before this Ashes series.’
Anderson confirmed via a synchronized message on his social media platforms that the series opener against the West Indies from July 10-14 would represent the culmination of a journey as an international cricketer that began in 2002 .
“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 marching for England so much,” he posted.
“But I know the time has come to step aside and let others achieve their dreams, just like I did, because there is no greater feeling.”
“I’m excited about the new challenges ahead of me and filling my days with even more golf.
‘See you at the test,
‘To go well
“Jimmy x”
Anderson made the announcement after revealing on Friday that McCullum had left New Zealand to discuss his future in person.
It led to a busy few hours for a man nicknamed the Burnley Boomerang after decimating Zimbabwe with the first of his 32 five-wicket haul on his Test debut 21 years ago, trying to make contact with his family and his friends to personally announce his farewells. in England jersey would also be at Lord’s.
“My mom (Catherine) and dad (Michael) weren’t that surprised,” Anderson said. “My dad said to me, ‘OK, yeah, good on you for telling me,’ but I think he suspected that might be the case – he came for the last Test in India and I l I feel like he could have known.
‘Baz (McCullum) said my dad told him, “He can retire now” after he got that 700th wicket, so I think he thought it was planned. My mother was a little more emotional, I suppose. It’s a big part of my life – more than half of it I’ve played cricket – so I suppose it will also be weird for the people around me when I’m not doing that.
Anderson will represent Lancashire in the build-up to the summer’s Test segment, but is unsure whether his final day on an international field will also be his last in the sport – as was the case for his great friend Stuart Broad at the Oval of 10 months. There is.
Another elder statesman of England, Stuart Broad (right), retired after last summer’s Ashes.
Anderson is eight wickets away from reaching Shane Warne’s titanic Test haul of 708 wickets
Meanwhile, discussions about him continuing with England in a post-playing mentoring role are ongoing. One thing he is determined on, however, is producing a final performance in line with a career of distinction that has seen him feature in four Ashes series victories and, under the captaincy of the only No.1-ranked Test team by Andrew Strauss in England. He needs eight more wickets to match the late Shane Warne’s tally of 708.
“I would rather continue bowling than decline or drop in speed,” he said. “You want people to remember you for the bowler you were and that’s what I hope to do in July.”
Anderson will likely covet a more discreet entry into retirement than the showman Broad’s at the end of a gripping Ashes victory last summer. However, ECB chairman Richard Thompson appeared in no mood to let that happen when he paid his own tribute yesterday, saying: “I don’t think we’ll ever see a bowler like him again to Jimmy.
“To still be at the top of his game at 41 is remarkable, and he is a true inspiration and role model to his peers and younger generations. English cricket owes Jimmy Anderson a farewell like no other.
