James Anderson announces Retirement from Test Cricket

The seasoned England fast bowler James Anderson declared on Saturday that he will be retiring from Test cricket following the opening game of the three-game series against the West Indies at the venerable Lord’s in the next summer. Ten July is the date of the Test. With 700 wickets in 187 Tests—more than any other pace bowler in Test history—the 41-year-old, who made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003, confirmed the development to the ECB via a personal post on Instagram.

“Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test,” “I’ve had the amazing opportunity to represent my country and play the game I’ve always loved for 20 years. I’m going to really miss leaving for England. However, I am aware that the moment has come for me to move aside and allow others to experience the same level of fulfillment as I did. There is no feeling better.

“Without the love and encouragement from Daniella, Lola, Ruby, and my parents, I could not have succeeded. A heartfelt gratitude to them. I also want to thank the coaches and players who have helped to make this the greatest profession in the world.

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“I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf,” he stated. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it.”

Brendon McCullum, England’s Test coach, arrived in the UK this week from New Zealand, according to a report in the Guardian earlier on Friday. During a round of golf, he spoke with Anderson and made it clear that he plans to look ahead, beginning with the upcoming summer and working his way up to the 2025–2026 Ashes.

Only during England’s tour of India earlier this year did Anderson achieve the milestone of 700 wickets in Test cricket. This places him third on the all-time list of wicket-takers, behind the late Australian great Shane Warne (708), and the legendary spinner Muttiah Muralidaran of Sri Lanka (800). Though he took five wickets at an average of 85.40 in four Test matches against Australia during the most recent Ashes tour, his workload was comparatively reduced during the Indian series.

In addition to his 187 Test appearances, Anderson took 269 wickets in 194 ODI matches for England between 2002 and 2015 and participated in 19 T20I matches during his career