England’s ageless wonder James Anderson is finally calling time on his career and the veteran pacer has a chance to topple one more record in his final Test. England captain Ben Stokes said that the team management had a chat with Anderson where they told him that it was time for the team to move on and concentrate on younger talent. Anderson announced shortly after the meeting with Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and the team’s managing director Rob Key that the first Test of the summer against the West Indies will be his last.
Anderson had become the first fast bowler and just the third bowler overall to reach 700 Test wickets earlier this year during England’s five-Test tour of India. Stuart Broad, Anderson’s longtime fast bowling partner who retired after the Ashes last year, said that the 41-year-old could have half an eye on overtaking late Australia great Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets but his real focus would still be on England winning the match.
“He might have half an eye on Shane Warne’s Test wicket tally of 708 if he has a really good week but he will just want to walk off the pitch winning the game,” said Broad in a column for Sky Sports. “I know he is nearly 42 and this will be his 188th Test but he will feel some nerves this week, no doubt. He won’t shy away from that. He’ll know a lot of eyes are on him and that people will be hoping and wishing he does something really special,” he wrote.