James Anderson has confirmed he will retire this summer but could remain with the England team as a bowling consultant.
Anderson’s final match of a stellar international career will be the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s on 10-14 July.
The seamer has not yet decided whether his domestic career will also end this summer, but he will represent Lancashire against Nottinghamshire at Southport in early June to tune up for his farewell game.
Speaking on the Tailenders podcast, Anderson said: “I feel excited about what the future might hold, whether that’s potentially sticking around with the team this summer in a different capacity.
“We have chatted about it, the chats are ongoing. I will keep talking to Stokesy, Baz, Rob Key about what happens after that Test match.
“I have not decided [whether to play on]. There are games at the end of the season that I am not ruling out. That is a conversation I need to have with Lancashire and see what they want to do.
“It is part of the thought process. I am not 100 per cent set on what I will do next. That will be a conversation further down the line to see what they want to do. To see if I have actually got the desire and willingness to do that. That will be later in the year.”
Anderson will retire as England’s greatest-ever bowler having taken a record 700 wickets across 187 Tests, with his longevity unlikely to be matched in the future.
Brendon McCullum flew from New Zealand in April to discuss the 41-year-old’s future over a round of golf, and both decided that the Lord’s exit would be the best path.
McCullum and England are planning ahead to the next Ashes series, which will take place in Australia in the winter of 2025-26.
Anderson confirmed his retirement earlier on Saturday on social media, writing: “Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test.
“It’s been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I’ve loved since I was a kid. I’m going to miss walking out for England so much. But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling.
“I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of Daniella, Lola, Ruby and my parents. A huge thank you to them. Also, thank you to the players and coaches who have made this the best job in the world.
“I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it.”
He will retire as one of the true titans of Test cricket, the leading wicket-taker among all seamers to have picked up a ball, only trailing spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in the all-time standings.
ECB chair Richard Thompson said in a statement: “I don’t think we’ll ever see a bowler to match Jimmy again. It has been an honour as an England fan to watch him, and to marvel at his skill with the ball.
“To still be bowling at the top of his game at 41 is remarkable, and he is a true inspiration and role model for peers and younger generations alike.
“His final Test promises to be an emotional one, and having been there for his first Test in 2003, it will be an honour to watch his final one at Lord’s in July.
“English cricket owes Jimmy Anderson a send-off like no other.”
