England’s star fast bowler, James Anderson,who is the only fast bowler to have taken 700 wickets in Test cricket, will retire at the end of this season. He is the third player overall to achieve this milestone.
According to The Guardian, England’s head coach, Brendon McCullum, recently visited England and suggested to Anderson that the team is now focusing on the future. Following this conversation, Anderson decided to retire after the first Test against the West Indies.
England’s first Test against the West Indies is scheduled for July 10 at Lord’s, which will mark Anderson’s final match. Anderson made his Test debut at Lord’s against Zimbabwe in 2003. He has since become the only fast bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, achieving this feat in 187 Test matches.
In addition to his Test career, Anderson represented England in 194 One Day Internationals (ODIs), taking 269 wickets. He also played 19 T20 Internationals, securing 18 wickets. Anderson is the second-most capped player in Test cricket history, after India’s Sachin Tendulkar (200 matches).