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England’s all-time great James Anderson officially bade adieu to his illustrious international career after the English side defeated West Indies by an innings and 114 runs in the first Test of the three-match series at Lord’s Cricket Stadium in London. The 41-year-old bagged four wickets in the match, with Caribbean wicketkeeper-batter Joshua de Silva becoming his final Test scalp.
A record-breaking career
Anderson’s remarkable 21-year career in cricket saw him amass 704 wickets in 188 Test matches, making him the highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test history. He ranks third on the all-time wicket-takers list, behind only Shane Warne (708 wickets) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets). Additionally, Anderson is second only to Sachin Tendulkar (200 Tests) in the number of Test matches played.
James Anderson enjoys a pint of beer at Lord’s balcony
As Anderson walked off the field for the last time, he received a standing ovation from the crowd. He then addressed the fans from the Lord’s balcony, acknowledging their support and cheers. To celebrate his farewell, Anderson enjoyed a pint of beer, a moment captured and shared by England Cricket on social media, quickly becoming a viral sensation.
Here is the video:
Jimmy delivering the goods at Lord's, one last time 🤣🍻 pic.twitter.com/QdFjUDVLIA
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 12, 2024
Also READ: James Anderson plays cricket with Ben Stokes’ kids following his retirement at Lord’s; England captain reacts
Anderson reflects on emotional final match and proud career
Anderson reflected on the mix of emotions he experienced throughout the match, especially on the first day when he felt the weight of the occasion walking out with both teams. He admitted that his nerves affected his initial delivery, but he was overwhelmed by the crowd’s reaction, which he hadn’t fully processed yet. The Lancashire pacer expressed immense pride in his 20-year career, cherishing every moment and acknowledging the extraordinary journey it had been.
“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.
Anderson highlights the crucial role of family support
Anderson emphasized the importance of support in sustaining a long cricket career, acknowledging that every player relies on it. He highlighted the significance of shared memories within the team and with their families, noting that their journeys are intertwined. The Burnley Express was particularly moved by seeing his daughters ring the bell at Lord’s, a moment he believes will be unforgettable for them. He expressed his hope that his family enjoyed the experience as much as he did throughout his career.
“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,” added Anderson.
