Sports Desk7 days ago
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41-year-old Anderson's cricket journey lasted 22 years.
England's main fast bowler James Anderson said goodbye to cricket at the age of 41. He made his international cricket debut in 2002 at the age of 20. Took 704 wickets in Tests, 269 in ODIs and 18 in T20s…total 991 wickets.
He led the pace bowling attack of the England team for 22 years. He was playing his last test match at Lord's. After winning the match, he came on the balcony, gave a chance of happiness to hundreds of fans gathered in the ground and after that he said – playing cricket for England is the best job in the world. And then he said goodbye.
The moment of Anderson's farewell from cricket…
(Credit- England Cricket Board)
After the match, the entire team was present in the Lord's dressing room and so was former captain Nasir Hussain. Hussain told Anderson that whatever you did for England was fantastic. Thank you for everything.
Anderson started his ODI career in 2002 against Australia and played his last match against Afghanistan in 2015. He started his Test career in 2003 against Zimbabwe and played his last match today against West Indies. He started his T20 career in 2007 against Australia and played his last match against South Africa in 2009.
James Anderson's career journey…
1. First ball of international career
James Anderson at the age of 20, when he took his first wicket in international cricket.
James Anderson bowled his first ball on 15 December 2002 at the age of 20. This match was played in Melbourne, Australia. Anderson took 1 wicket for 46 runs in 6 overs in this match. He dismissed Australia's legendary Adam Gilchrist.
2. Test debut in 2003
James Anderson took 5 wickets on Test debut.
Anderson made his Test debut a year after his ODI debut. Anderson took 5 wickets in this match against Zimbabwe. This match was played at Lord's in England.
3. T20 debut in 2007
James Anderson played his last T20 in 2009.
Anderson made his T20 debut against Australia in 2007. This match was played in Sydney, Australia. Anderson took 1 wicket in this match. He dismissed Matthew Hayden.
Memorable moments from James Anderson's last match…
1. Anderson led the team
Anderson looked emotional before the match.
James Anderson was asked by Ben Stokes to lead the team before the match started. Here he looked emotional. At this time James' achievements were being told.
2. Anderson's daughters started the match by ringing the bell
Anderson's two daughters Lola, Ruby Anderson and their parents
Before the match started, Anderson's two daughters Lola and Ruby Anderson rang the historic bell of Lord's to start the match. Anderson's wife Daniela and parents Michael Anderson and Katherine Anderson were present in the stadium at this time.
3. Bowling edge same as before in last match
James Anderson has taken 704 wickets in his Test career so far.
This is the amazing action of James Anderson which every bowler wants to adopt. Anderson is the world's greatest bowler in terms of swing. In both innings of the last Test match against West Indies, he bowled 26.4 overs and took 4 wickets for 58 runs.
4. Guard of honour to James Anderson
James Anderson bowling for the last time in international cricket.
James Anderson was given a guard of honour by both teams before taking the field on the third day of the England-West Indies match.
5. First ball at Lord's, last at the same place
An emotional James Anderson leaves the ground.
James Anderson bowled the first ball of Test cricket at Lord's Cricket Ground in London and today he bowled the last ball of his career there. Anderson looked emotional while leaving the field.
James Anderson's career…
- James Anderson, the second highest wicket-taker after Sachin Tendulkar's 200 Test wickets, completed 700 Test wickets on the tour of India earlier this year.
- Anderson made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's in 2003. Since then, he has represented England in 188 Test matches. During this time, he has taken 704 wickets in 350 innings at an average of 26.53 and an economy of 2.79.
- The English team in which 41-year-old James Anderson is currently playing. There are some players who were not even born when Jimmy's career started.
The first fast bowler to bowl 40,000 balls in a Test
James Anderson has become the first fast bowler to bowl 40 thousand balls in Tests. He achieved this feat in 178 matches. His teammate Stuart Broad is at number two, he has bowled 33 thousand 698 balls in 167 Test matches.
Third bowler to take most wickets in Tests
- Anderson is the third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. He has taken 704 wickets in 350 innings of 188 Test matches at an average of 26.53 and an economy of 2.79.
- In Test cricket, he has 32 5 wicket hauls and 3 ten wicket hauls. Anderson is third in the list of highest wicket takers in Test cricket after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Australia's Shane Warne (708). He is number one among fast bowlers.
Retirement before the match
England's fast bowler James Anderson played the last match of his Test career at Lord's in London between July 10 and July 14. He said in a press conference on Monday (July 8), two days before his last international cricket match, 'My training has been going well for the last few days. I am not thinking much about the game. The biggest thing for me will be to bowl well and win the match for the team. My entire focus is on this. I believe that the emotions will change after the match. So my focus will be on stopping myself from crying.'
He further said, 'I still feel as fit as before, like I am bowling as well as before. I still feel that I can perform well. But at the same time I understand that it has to end someday. Now this is something that has to be accepted.'
