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James Anderson, renowned as one of the greatest bowlers in Test cricket history, will bid farewell to red-ball cricket following the upcoming series against the West Indies. His final match starts at Lord’s on July 10, marking the end of a storied career spanning over two decades for England.
James Anderson’s retirement decision and milestone moment
Anderson achieved a monumental milestone earlier this year by becoming the first pace bowler and only the third overall, alongside spin legends Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, to reach 700 Test wickets. His journey began with a debut at Lord’s in 2003 and will culminate with 188 Test caps, the most by any England player and the second-highest overall after great Sachin Tendulkar of India.
Reflecting on favourite test match for England
In reflecting on his career, Anderson treasures moments like the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in 2013, where his exceptional bowling helped secure victory for England. Anderson in that game claimed 10 wickets in a heart-stopping 14-run victory
In an interview with BBC Tailenders Podcast, Anderson described the Ashes Test as the pinnacle of his career, emphasizing the intensity of the match and his pivotal role in England’s success. Recounting the final moments, he recalled a crucial 13-over spell aimed at securing victory, including the dismissal of Brad Haddin with an off-cutter, a decision validated after a review amidst tense moments captured on the big screen.
“It’s the best game I’ve had for England. An Ashes Test, the close nature and I bowled a 13-over spell on the last day trying to bowl them out,” Anderson said.
“I used all the skills I could possibly think of, everything I had in my armoury. The last wicket, Brad Haddin, was an off-cutter. I didn’t actually hear the nick, but Alastair Cook and Matt Prior behind the stumps heard it and then the umpire gave it not out. We had to review it and I asked Haddin if he hit it and he said he did, so we all knew it was going to be given out, but there’s still that moment when the decision comes up on the big screen and the umpire puts his finger up,” the 41-year-old added.
“It was just incredible. There’s a great photo of all 11 of us, starting to charge off like a like a flock of geese, running around the ground. It was amazing. The wickets that matter are the ones where you influence games. Contributing to a win like that is the best feeling,” Anderson concluded.
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Summary of that historic game
The first Test against Australia, noted for its drama and competitive spirit, showcased Anderson’s resilience and strategic prowess. Despite England’s initial disappointment with a score of 215 all out in the opening innings, they rallied back, restricting Australia to 117/9 in their subsequent innings.
However, a record-breaking 10th-wicket partnership saw Australia lead by 65 runs, setting England a target of 311 to win. Ian Bell’s century in England’s third innings bolstered their position, yet Australia’s strong batting performance nearly clinched victory, falling just under 15 runs short by the end of a thrilling fifth day.
