James Anderson is set to walk away from Test cricket this summer. The 41-year-old, his country’s leading wicket taker in the red-ball format with 700, has reportedly taken the decision following talks with Brendan McCullum.
According to the Guardian, the England coach travelled from his home in New Zealand to meet Anderson face-to-face. He’s said to have informed the Lancashire man of his intentions to build for the away Ashes tour in 2025/26 without him.
However, Anderson’s international career is not seemingly over with immediate effect. England play six home Test matches this summer against West Indies and Sri Lanka, the their opening clash with the Windies getting underway on Lord’s on July 10.
Significantly, the opening Test of the latter series begins at Old Trafford, a ground synonymous with the all-time great, on August 21. His final bow though could yet come at the Oval from September 6-10, a game that will bring the curtain down on England’s red ball summer.
Anderson was named in the touring party to go to India earlier this year, a series the visitors ultimately lost 4-1. But the fifth test proved a landmark one for him, dismissing Kuldeep Yadav to become just the third bowler in history to claim 700 Test victims.
Asked after the series if Anderson was in plans for the next trip to Australia, McCullum was non-comital. “I don’t know, honestly,” he said. “Who knows where the end line for him is but for now, just enjoy having Jimmy around and make sure we utilise that experience he’s got. He’s a great resource for the other guys within the unit.”
Anderson debuted at Test level back in May 2003 against Zimbabwe, and has gone on to rack up 187 appearances. He curtailed his ODI career back in 2015, citing his desire to prolong his time in the five-day format.
He’s since frequently reiterated his ambition to continue playing for his country, despite the retirement og long-time partner in crime Stuart Broad last summer. Broad, now 37, took his 604th wicket with his final delivery in Test cricket, ensuring the series with Australia finished 2-2.
The pair had previously been dropped for the 2022 tour of West Indies, a development perceived by many to spell the end of their Test careers. However, England’s poor display in the Caribbean, followed by the the arrival of McCullum, duly prompted recalls.
