Rob Key, England’s managing director of cricket, stated that fast bowler James Anderson’s decision to call it quits on his remarkable 21-year career was a fitting one as the nation strives to assemble a team for the future. After the first Test match of the series against the West Indies at Lord’s in July, Anderson announced on Saturday that he would be retiring from Test cricket. 
 
Two weeks before he turns forty-two, Anderson, who made his England debut at Lord’s in 2003, will play his final Test match there. With 700 Test wickets, he is just behind the records held by Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800) of Sri Lanka.

Anderson, the leading wicket-taker among speed bowlers in Test cricket, will play his final red-ball game for England in July. The experienced fast bowler, who achieved the milestone of 700 Test wickets in the Dharamsala Test against India earlier this year, revealed the decision on social media.

“We said ‘we think it’s time for us to move on, that we have to start looking towards the future’,” Key told the BBC Test Match Special County Cricket podcast. “This is the right decision, and this is the right time. Hopefully he gets a fantastic end at Lord’s.” Head coach Brendon McCullum flew over to England to hold talks with Anderson over his future, Key said.

“We talked for approximately an hour and a half, which Baz led. I don’t believe Jimmy expected it, but it wasn’t entirely unexpected,” Key remarked.
 
I’ll miss walking out for England so much. But I know it’s time to step back and let others realize their dreams, just like I did, since there’s no better feeling.” Anderson added.

Anderson, 41, has been playing Test cricket for nearly two decades and has established himself as one of the best bowlers in the format’s history. He made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003 and has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests. “Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years; it has always meant a lot, even if my face doesn’t always reflect it. He wrote, “See you at the test.”
 
We thought it was appropriate for Jimmy and the public to say their goodbyes. We did not make it clear to him that he needed to make a decision immediately. He decided not long ago that the Lord’s game would be his last. From July 10 to 14, England will play the first of three Tests against the Caribbean team.

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