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James Anderson: England legend says he has ‘made peace’ with imminent retirement ahead of West Indies Test match
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Updated 08/07/2024 at 20:29 GMT+1
England and Lancashire fast bowler James Anderson says that he has accepted that he will no longer be part of the England Test set up after he makes his final appearance at Lord's for the first Test match against the West Indies on Wednesday. The 41-year-old will become a mentor to the team for the rest of the summer and is yet to decide on his future with his county.
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England bowler James Anderson says he has “made peace” with his imminent retirement ahead of the Test with the West Indies.
The Test at Lord’s begins on Wednesday, and will be the 41-year-old's last appearance for England.
Anderson has one final chance to extend his record as the leading wicket-taker for fast bowlers in Test history.
He currently holds 700 wickets from 187 games, eight short of Shane Warne in the overall standings.
The veteran paceman has been dropped from consideration for future Tests as a series with India looms this summer, and the next Ashes - in Australia - is 18 months away.
Anderson remains part of the Lancashire set up and took seven wickets for his county against Nottinghamshire, and told a press conference of his impending retirement: "It's difficult to say, I haven't really got a choice!
"It's been a pretty strange couple of months, but I feel pretty happy with where things are.
"I can completely understand the way the management and the team want to go. I have made peace with that, and we will see what the future holds.
"Coming off a seven-for last week, I still feel I am bowling as well as I ever have, but I knew it had to end at some point.
"Whether it's now, a year or two years... the fact that it is now is just something I have to deal with and accept.
"I don't have any regrets. I have played hundreds of games for England, in both white ball and red ball. I have played longer than a lot of people get the opportunity to do.
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"I have played with a lot of people more talented than me who didn't get the chance to play due to injury or whatever, so I feel blessed to take the amount of wickets I have."
Looking ahead to the takes at hand against the Windies, he asserted that he did not want to let the team down, and did not want to be overcome by emotion.
He continued: "The big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win. I'm sure the emotions will change through the week but that's what I'm focusing on to stop myself crying!
"I would love to be able to contribute this week, whether it's one wicket or whatever. I would like to make a small contribution and win the game.
"The reason I have played cricket is to experience moments of winning games, winning series and being in the dressing room afterwards."
Anderson will be kept on for the summer as a mentor to the team, and he has not ruled out staying on in the position.
He said: "I am really excited what I can contribute to this team for the rest of the summer and, who knows, maybe beyond that. Coaching is something I have thought about.
"I feel my role over the last few years has been to mentor the younger guys, help them settle and feel comfortable. I think I have a lot to offer in terms of my experiences in Test cricket."
As for a full retirement, Anderson is yet to make up his mind, with talks expected with Lancashire at a later date.
"My emotions are a bit all over the place at the moment. I want to make that decision thinking clearly.
"If I feel like I can still contribute to Lancashire then I'm sure that conversation will happen in the next few months."
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