James Anderson Set to Bid Farewell to Test Cricket in Upcoming England Home Season

Legendary fast bowler James Anderson is gearing up for the final hurrah in Test cricket as he readies to bid adieu during the upcoming England home season. The iconic cricketer, having recently surpassed Shane Warne‘s record to become the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers, is eyeing Warne’s overall Test wicket tally of 708 as he prepares for one last campaign with the England squad.

According to a report in The Guardian, England’s Test team coach Brendon McCullum recently traveled to the U.K. to personally inform Anderson about the team’s future plans, hinting at focusing on the Ashes series in 2025-26. This revelation marks the beginning of the end for the illustrious 41-year-old.

England is scheduled to play Test matches against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home this year, with one of these games set to take place at Anderson’s beloved home ground, Old Trafford. It is speculated that this particular fixture could serve as Anderson’s swan song, marking the culmination of his remarkable career as a right-arm bowler.

Having made his Test debut in May 2003, Anderson has amassed 700 wickets in the format and occupies the third position on the all-time highest wicket-takers list in Test cricket, trailing only Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan. The depth of Anderson’s contribution to English cricket over 187 Tests, 194 ODIs, and 19 T20Is is truly unparalleled.

Anderson is expected to make an official announcement regarding his retirement during the BBC’s coverage of the England women’s T20I against Pakistan at Edgbaston. As he prepares to relinquish his Test cricket journey, a new chapter beckons for English cricket, with names like Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, and Saqib Mahmood primed to take the mantle, following the recent retirement of Stuart Broad.