Confirmed: England pacer James Anderson will retire after Lord's Test against West Indies

England pacer James Anderson has confirmed that he will retire from Test cricket following the 1st Test match against the West Indies at Lord's. The Test, scheduled to start on July 10, will mark the end of an era for Anderson, who has had a profound impact on the sport over the past two decades, finishing his career with most wickets as a pacer in the longest format.

Anderson made the announcement via an Instagram post, stating, "Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord's will be my last Test." He reflected on his illustrious career, expressing his love for the game and his gratitude towards being able to represent his country. "It's been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I've loved since I was a kid. I'm going to miss walking out for England so much. But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realize their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling," Anderson shared.

In his farewell message, Anderson did not forget to acknowledge the support of his family and teammates throughout his career. "I couldn't have done it without the love and support of Daniella, Lola, Ruby, and my parents. A huge thank you to them. Also, thank you to the players and coaches who have made this the best job in the world," he added.

Anderson also hinted at what lies ahead beyond his cricket career, showing enthusiasm for pursuing personal interests and spending more time on leisure activities. "I'm excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf," he noted, expressing gratitude to his fans and supporters over the years.

The decision comes after discussions about Anderson's future role within the team, as reported by 'The Guardian'. England’s Test team coach Brendon McCullum reportedly met with Anderson to discuss the transition, focusing on building the team for future challenges, including the Ashes 2025-26 in Australia.

Anderson's cricket journey is highlighted by his remarkable statistics and contributions to the sport. Having debuted in May 2003, he has played 187 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is for England. With 700 Test wickets, he is ranked third on the all-time list, only behind Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800).

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