There will never be another James Anderson. Such declarations are often made when a cricket legend retires, but in Anderson's case, it's particularly true.
Anderson debuted for England in 2002, a year before the first domestic T20 matches, at a time when Test cricket's future was not in question. It's hard to imagine another fast bowler playing 188 Test matches, let alone taking 700 wickets.
In this regard, Anderson surpasses all other seam bowlers. Stuart Broad is the closest with 604 wickets, and only two spinners, Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708), have more.
England decided to move on from Anderson, now 41, before the start of the Test summer. However, he will have the chance for a final match, earning his 188th Test cap and a proper farewell.
Speaking from Lords ahead of his emotional farewell, Anderson said:
“Test cricket is literally the reason I am the person that I am. It has taught me so many lessons through the years, built my resilience to a lot of things.
“I think the fulfilment you get from putting in a shift in a day’s cricket is different to anything else you can do in the game. I know you can earn a lot of money from bowling four overs [in T20 cricket] but for me personally, I would never get the same sort of joy or fulfilment from taking wickets that are caught on the boundary as from trying to really give a batter a working-over and figure someone out.
“Your skills over three, four, five overs to try and get the better of them – I think there is no better feeling than that in the game. I just hope there are enough kids and young professionals out there who still want that to be the case, rather than going chasing the dollar.”
British sport is experiencing a season of farewells. Andy Murray made an emotional final bow with his brother Jamie at Wimbledon, Mark Cavendish just set the all-time stage wins record in his last Tour de France, and athletes like Max Whitlock, Tom Daley, and Jade Jones will bid goodbye to the Olympics in Paris later this month. James Anderson's impact on cricket is no less significant than that of these sporting icons in their respective fields.
Anderson's retirement wasn't due to a decline in ability or injury. Instead, head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director of men’s cricket Rob Key decided he wouldn't be available for the Ashes in Australia in 18 months.
Discussions about Anderson's retirement have circulated for years, dating back to the 2019 Ashes in England when he was 36. However, this time, the decision was made for him. England opted to move forward, and the Burnley-born seamer has had to come to terms with it.
“It’s hard to say [whether he disagrees with the decision],” Anderson said, adding: “I’ll be 43 by then.
“For me, I’ve always thought that age is just a number; I don’t feel 41. I still feel as fit as I ever have, like I’m bowling as well as I ever have.
“My record has got much better since turning 35. I still think I could do a job but at the same time I understand that it has to end at some point, and I completely accept – completely understand – their reasoning behind it.
“It’s important that we go to that Ashes series with guys who have got experience. With Broady [Stuart Broad] finishing last year and myself now, we need as much Test cricket into those guys as possible.”
Anderson will make his 188th and final Test appearance at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground, the same venue where he debuted in this format against Zimbabwe 21 years ago. The upcoming match is against the West Indies, but his farewell is likely to be the highlight of the event.
Stuart Broad retired in a storybook fashion last summer, hitting a six on his final ball and taking the last wicket of the Ashes, securing a draw for England. While Anderson has never sought the limelight like his longtime bowling partner, his farewell is equally deserved.
“It will be strange,” Anderson admitted, adding: “I don’t particularly like fuss. It will be awkward at times, I’m sure. But there might be a point where I start milking it!
“I don’t know; I feel so lucky to have played for as long as I have. It feels really special that I get to play for England one more time, so I’m looking forward to getting the shirt on, getting out there and playing.”
Anderson deserves a final farewell after all he has done for the sport he loves so much, at domestic and international levels. But after taking seven wickets for Lancashire in their recent game and lacking seam attack experience in the national team, questions must be asked—is now the right time?