It’s 704 wickets and out for Jimmy Anderson.
The most prolific fast bowler in Test history bowed out of international cricket by helping England complete a win by an innings and 114 runs over West Indies at Lord’s on Friday.
The 41-year-old’s 188th and last Test ended with him taking 3-32 in the tourists’ second innings as they were dismissed for 136 a little over an hour into the third day’s play.
One of those wickets came on Friday, with Anderson enticing an edge behind off Joshua Da Silva with a delivery that seamed away. It was classic Anderson — unlike the caught-and-bowled chance he dropped off Gudakesh Motie with England needing just one more wicket for victory.
He fell to his knees and covered his face with his hand.
Soon, he was walking off the field at the home of cricket to a standing ovation after Gus Atkinson (5-61) took the final wicket.
“It’s been quite an amazing week,” Anderson, who made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in 2003, told Sky Sports.
“I’ve been overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground, and the lads as well. I’m just proud of what I’ve achieved.”
The morning had started with Anderson, who doesn’t like being the centre of attention, looking emotional after being given a guard of honour from both teams — and a first standing ovation from the crowd — when he came out at the start of the day’s play.
Atkinson, who represents the future of English pace bowling, took two of the wickets after the Windies resumed on 6-79 — still 171 runs adrift of making England bat again — and had match figures of 12-106. He became the first England bowler to get a 10-wicket haul in a Test at home since Alec Bedser in 1946.
A final standing ovation for Jimmy Anderson
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2024pic.twitter.com/BLhV6zPLwd
Anderson finished his Test career four wickets behind the late Australia legspinner Shane Warne’s tally of 708 wickets. Only one bowler has more than them: former Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan with 800.
“Obviously this morning was quite emotional … I’m still trying to hold them (tears) back now but I think I am just really proud,” Anderson said.
“Playing for 20-odd years is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler, so 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.
“Playing for England is the best job in the world and I’ve been privileged to do it for a long time.”
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