James Anderson Set To Draw Curtains On Glorious Career At The Ends Of Summer: Report

New Delhi: Veteran England pacer James Anderson is set to end his Test career at the end of the English summer, according to reports on Friday. The 41-year-old, who started his career in 2003, became the first pace bowler to take 700 Test wickets earlier this year and third overall after Muthiah Muralidaran (800) and Shane Warne (708).

According to a report at The Guardian, Anderson, whose career lasted more than 20 years, is expected to hold talks with red-ball coach Brendon McCullum before announcing his decision. The right-arm pacer recently met McCullum in person after the former New Zealand captain flew to United Kingdom to inform Anderson that they are looking to the future.

By the time England start planning for their 2025-26 tour of Australia for the Ashes, Anderson will be 43. England are set to play Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home this year and one of those fixtures is at Old Trafford — Anderson’s home ground — and that game could be the last for the right-arm bowler.

Anderson, who has played 187 Tests for England in a storied career which began in May 2003 along with 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is. Anderson achieved his record 700th wicket against India when he has Kuldeep Yadav caught behind at Dharamsala. “It was a nice moment and nice to do it at a picturesque ground,” Anderson had told to BBC Tailenders podcast.

“My dad was here so we had a drink, which was nice. He was more excited than I was. Maybe I would’ve felt more excited if we’d have won the Test or the series. It’s been a long series, and I don’t know how I feel. I don’t get anything out of that,” he said.

“I don’t get anything out of what other people say. That’s not why I play cricket. I don’t play cricket to get the milestones. I want to win games. I love playing for a team and that’s when I get the biggest buzz.”