James Anderson, arguably the greatest pace bowler of all time has finally hung his boots, taking his career as an international cricketer to an end. The England vs West indies test at Lord’s turned out to be his last appearance in the England jersey. The veteran pacer ended his career while being at the top o the chart for wicket-taking pace bowlers, gathering a whopping 704 wickets. After helping England secure a victory in his last game, Anderson admitted that there was one moment in the final which has his quite disappointed
In a post match interview, Anderson made a candid chat with England great Nasser Husain, under who he made is debut two decades ago.
“Obviously this morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd was pretty special,” Anderson said. “But yeah, I’m still trying to hold them [tears] back now, but I think I’m just really proud of playing for 20-odd years. [It] is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler.”
“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. And yeah, play for England. It’s the best job in the world, so I’ve been privileged to be able to do it for a long time.”
Anderson was given a superb welcome by the players of both teams as he walked into the Lord’s Cricket Ground for the last time. It was truly an emotional moment for him.
“Yeah, has been different emotions, been so up and down. Saw my girls ring a bell on day one. Walking out today with both teams lined up again was pretty emotional. I forgot what I was actually trying to do with the ball,” Anderson said at a press interaction after the game. “But yeah, it’s been incredible. As I said, the reaction of crowds was phenomenal. I can’t get my head around it right now.”
“But yeah, it’s just been an amazing 20 years. Every moment, every great sports person, there is the family, mother, father, wife, kids, who allow you to do what you’ve done for so long.”
Anderson could have finished his career with 70 wickets if he had not dropped a catch to give West indies’ Gudakesh Motie a second chance. he still in disappointed about that missed opportunity.
“I’m still gutted to have dropped that catch to be honest,” Anderson said. “But yeah, it’s been an amazing week. I’ve been quite overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground and the lads as well, just proud of what I’ve achieved.”
“And it is a really special sport. I think no other sport creates this sort of atmosphere, these sorts of friendships, and part of me is a little bit jealous of these lads [who] get to experience that for the next few years. As I said, we’ve got a young team, lots of incredible talent, and the advice I’d pass on to them is just enjoy every moment, because it’s a great ride.”
Speaking about his most memorable moments as a cricketer, winning in Australia and India is what the veteran pacer has enjoyed the most.
“Winning series and winning Test matches,” Anderson said are the most special memories of his career, “it’s been the only thing that I’ve been interested in since I came into the England team – winning in Australia, winning in India becoming number one site in the world and contributing to those those series as well. Taking wickets, they’re the things that are remembered forever; playing with some of the greats in the game as well. It’s just been really really special.”
“Well, I think just the feeling that we’ve got now – winning the Test match,” he said. “There’s no better feeling – everyone’s put in the graft this week. I know it looks like we’ve dominated, but we’ve had to work really hard for this win; sharing other people’s success as well.”
When asked about what feeling he will miss the most, Anderson replied by saying the aches an pain.
“Guys was amazing this week on debut, Jamie Smith on debut as well. Incredible. Seeing the lads go out there and show off their talent, and then you get to sit in here after a win and celebrate those sorts of performances together is an incredible sort of thing that I’ll definitely miss.”
“Feeling like I do now,” Anderson said. “I feel about 55 after the overs I’ve bowled this week. The aches and pains that you wake up with, I think I’ll miss them. But yeah, I mean, as I said, I feel really fortunate. I’ve been able to do what I’ve done for a long time and I’m just happy that I’ve made it this far.”
“I think I’ve not really thought that far ahead. I’m going to stick around for the rest of the summer with these guys. Try and help the bowling group out as much as I can, and we will see where life takes is a bit after that. I’m not looked that far ahead.”
