James Anderson, the highest wicket-taking paceman in Test cricket, has announced that the first Test against West Indies to be played at Lord’s from July 10, will be his final Test appearance.

“Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test,” Anderson wrote in an Instagram post. “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,” he added. “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.”

Anderson, who made his Test debut for England in May 2003 against Zimbabwe, became the first fast bowler to reach the milestone of 700 Test wickets in the fifth Test against India in Dharamsala earlier this year. He is nine wickets away from surpassing Shane Warne as the second highest wicket taker in Test cricket.

Anderson has picked up 32 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls, with a best of 7 for 42 (vs West Indies at Lord’s in 2017) and 11 for 71 (vs Pakistan at Trent Bridge in 2010). He has scored 1353 runs with one half-century – 81 against India at Trent Bridge in 2014.

According to a report on The Guardian, Anderson recently had a conversation with Test head coach Brendon McCullum who flew down to England to tell the senior pacer that the team was looking to the future.

Anderson, almost 42 years, has not had too many fitness issues but was used sparingly by England in the Tests against India, bowling only 110 overs across four Tests (seven innings) in which he picked up 10 wickets. He didn’t have a great Ashes last year, averaging 85.40 for his five wickets in four Tests. Stuart Broad, who played 138 matches with Anderson, retired after the final Ashes Test in 2023 having crossed 600 Test wickets during the series.

Broad later revealed to Daily Mail that he had an understanding with Anderson that they would not retire at the same time. “It was like an unwritten clause in a contract that Jimmy and I never wanted to finish at the same time. We always wanted an overlap one way or the other, a crossover of knowledge, not 300-plus matches of Test experience disappearing out of the changing room.”