James Anderson’s magnificent Test career of 188 matches in 21 years has come to an emotional end. It began at Lord’s in 2003 and fittingly ended at the same iconic ground. Anderson’s final outing against the West Indies — he took three wickets in the second innings as he closed on 704 Test wickets — ended with England securing a crushing victory by an innings and 114 runs.
The emotions of that final morning were both special and overwhelming. Anderson said he felt very proud, particularly being a fast bowler and not having been injured much throughout his time playing for over two decades.
“Obviously this morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd was pretty special,” Anderson told Sky Cricket after the game. “But yeah, I’m still trying to hold them [tears] back now, but I think I’m just really proud of playing for 20-odd years. [It] is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler.
“I’m just happy that I’ve made it this far. Happy that I’ve been lucky enough to stay injury-free pretty much throughout my career. And yeah, play for England. It’s the best job in the world, so I’ve been privileged to be able to do it for a long time.”
That last match of Anderson’s magnificent Test career was surrounded by family and wife and daughters is some sort of testament to the journey of the man. The ringing of the bell at the start of the Test by his daughters would have been a proud, emotional moment for him, tinged with personal bittersweet feelings. On walking out on the final day, lined up by both teams, it wasn’t easy for him to locate his focus on bowling amidst so much washing over him.
The phenomenal reaction of the crowd left him in awe, himself showing a deep debt of gratitude to his family for their support throughout. Though a catch off his own bowling eluded him – that would have given him a fifth wicket, Anderson wasn’t diffident about his career. He feels gutted for not taking his wicket tally to an odd count.
“I’m still gutted to have dropped that catch (Gudakesh Motie) to be honest,” Anderson said. “But yeah, it’s been an amazing week. I’ve been quite overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground and the lads as well, just proud of what I’ve achieved.”
He spoke eloquently about having had 109 different teammates, starting under Nasser Hussain, playing alongside the likes of Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart. The 41-year-old retired with debutants Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith, having created great friends and a really special atmosphere that cricket provided.
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He confessed to having the occasional pang of jealousy about all the youngsters now having a blast and told them: ‘Enjoy every moment’. The swing master played in 83 of England’s Test victories, most of them memorable affairs such as winning the Ashes both in Australia in 2010/11 and in India in 2012.
“And it is a really special sport. I think no other sport creates this sort of atmosphere, these sorts of friendships, and part of me is a little bit jealous of these lads [who] get to experience that for the next few years. As I said, we’ve got a young team, lots of incredible talent, and the advice I’d pass on to them is just enjoy every moment because it’s a great ride.”
“It’s been the only thing that I’ve been interested in since I came into the England team – winning in Australia, winning in India becoming the number one site in the world and contributing to those series as well. Taking wickets, they’re the things that are remembered forever; playing with some of the greats in the game as well. It’s just been really really special.”
Anderson’s magnificent Test career’s special moment was physically painful but spiritually and mentally satisfying
Particularly, the winning series and Tests were very special to Anderson; for him, team success is special, and he revels in others’ success, be it Gus Atkinson’s impressive debut or the promising start made by Jamie Smith. Though physically he would miss the aches and pains from bowling long spells, he felt grateful that his body had held up to a long career and he got to play so long.
“Well, I think just the feeling that we’ve got now – winning the Test match,” he said. “There’s no better feeling – everyone’s put in the graft this week. I know it looks like we’ve dominated, but we’ve had to work really hard for this win; sharing other people’s success as well.
“Gus was amazing this week on debut, Jamie Smith on debut as well. Incredible. Seeing the lads go out there and show off their talent, and then you get to sit in here after a win and celebrate those sorts of performances together is an incredible sort of thing that I’ll definitely miss.
“Feeling like I do now,” Anderson said. “I feel about 55 after the overs I’ve bowled this week. The aches and pains that you wake up with, I think I’ll miss them. But yeah, I mean, as I said, I feel really fortunate. I’ve been able to do what I’ve done for a long time and I’m just happy that I’ve made it this far.”
In his final County Championship game for Lancashire, fast bowler Anderson took a clinical 7 for 35. He joked about going on to play for Lancashire after having a celebratory Guinness. For now, he will stay around the England set-up this summer as he continues to help the bowling group before deciding on his future.
“You let me enjoy me Guinness first (laughs).
“I think I’ve not really thought that far ahead. I’m going to stick around for the rest of the summer with these guys. Try and help the bowling group out as much as I can, and we will see where life takes is a bit after that. I’m not looked that far ahead.”
Cricket will be poorer without James Anderson once he hangs up his boots. His legacy will stand tall and keep inspiring generations to great heights. Farewell, Ah Jimmy, Ah! to the master of swing, a true cricketing legend. Curtains down to Anderson’s magnificent Test career
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