James Anderson has released a statement announcing he will retire from Test cricket this summer.
The 41-year-old, who made his debut at Lord’s in 2003, is regarded as one cricket’s greatest ever bowlers.
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Anderson will call time on his Test career in the summerCredit: AFP
Over 187 tests, Anderson has taken an incredible 700 wickets for England, which is the most that any Test bowler has ever recorded.
However, he will call time on his international career this summer after their first Test against West Indies on July 10.
Taking to Instagram, he said: “Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test.
“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 realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling.
“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.
“I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf.
“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. See you at the Test, Go well. Jimmy x”
Fellow England legend Steve Harmison spoke to talkSPORT about the impact Anderson has made when rumours were reported on Friday.
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Anderson announced his news via a statement on social mediaCredit: Getty
“You can’t put it into words,” he said when questioned on Drive on how incredible the bowler has been.
“I’m trying to think of sportsmen or women around the world in their individual disciplines in whatever sports they’re in, he’s up there with the greats of all-time in sport.
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“For what he’s done, the longevity he’s had, what he’s achieved. You’ve got to remember, you see in bowling especially, especially in the modern day, for somebody to take 500 wickets is a ridiculous achievement.
“So to go on and get 600 then 700… if it is the end for Jimmy, that’s probably the end of a generation of bowlers who will look at the top of the overall wicket charts and they won’t get anywhere near.
“I don’t think anybody in the future will get 350 test match wickets, so for Jimmy to get 700 plus is a monumental achievement.”
Asked if it’s the right time for Anderson to go, he added: “It’s hard. We’ve been saying it’s the right time for Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad to go for the last fives years.
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Anderson will leave Test cricket with an incredible legacyCredit: Getty
“Every selector that’s come in or every management team has tried their best to move on and tried their best to look to the future and build for the next Ashes.
“Do you know what’s happened? The people that have been brought in have not been good enough, don’t have the standards that Anderson and Broad had, always getting injured, prioritising white ball cricket.
“We’ve had these two great fast bowlers, we have to keep going back to the well and asking them to continue and carry on. So Stuart went last year, it looks like Jimmy’s going to go this year.
“It probably is the right time to look to the future but I would love to see Jimmy have a farewell game or a farewell summer if bowlers aren’t fit to do it.
“Because I think he deserves to have everybody say ‘thank you very much to Jimmy Anderson’ because of what he’s achieved in this game.”
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