James Anderson speaking with Nasser Hussain after the match (x.com)
James Anderson concluded his illustrious Test career on a high note, as the legendary fast bowler demolished West Indies on his final international outing by picking up a match-winning three-fer at Lord’s.
Anderson cleaned up visiting captain Kraigg Brathwaite with the new-ball, before getting Alick Athanaze and Joshua Da Silva to nick one towards English wicketkeeper Jamie Smith on his return spell. Soon after England crashed West Indies by an innings and 114 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, the speedster reflected his 22-year international journey while talking about leaving the ‘best job in the world’.
Soon after England’s innings win over West Indies, outbound fast bowler James Anderson caught up with expert commentator and former teammate Nasser Hussain for a brief chat in the dressing room. Reflecting his expansive international journey for England, Anderson said that he was “happy” for making this far while staying injury-free pretty much throughout his career.
The ageing warhorse also added that playing cricket for England was the ‘best job in the world’ and he considers himself privileged for representing his country for a long time.
James Anderson, who claimed a wicket in the first West Indies innings on Day 1, added three more to his tally in the second innings to finish his career with 704 scalps from 188 Test matches. The speedster picked up 32 five-wicket hauls throughout his Test journey, and maintained an impressive bowling average of 26.45.
Apart from concluding his career as the world’s highest wicket-taking fast bowler in Test history, Anderson also finished as the third most successful bowler overall after spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708 wickets).
England will herald their post-James Anderson era with the second Test of the ongoing series against West Indies at Trent Bridge, Nottingham. The match is scheduled to be played between July 18 and July 22.