- Jimmy Anderson bowed out of Test cricket in an emotional day at Lord’s
- England beat the West Indies in the opening match of their three-test series
- Anderson was given a fitting send-off after taking three wickets in the match
Jimmy Anderson sat back and enjoyed a well-deserved pint of Guinness alongside his team-mates, as England’s all-time leading wicket-taker bowed out of Test match cricket.
The Lancashire bowler ended his glittering Test career on a high, too, clinching four wickets during the match to improve his record-breaking 704 haul.
The 41-year-old, who made his test debut back in 2003, took the wicket of Joshua Da Silva during his final morning of Test cricket at Lord’s before England clinched victory against the West Indies, winning by an innings and 114 runs.
Anderson was given a guard of honour after England’s win had been confirmed, with the England bowler, returning to the changing room to enjoy a pint of Guinness.
Sat next to his captain, Ben Stokes, he delivered an emotional interview with Sky Sports’ presenter Nasser Hussain while he sipped his pint, with the England star speaking out on his future and what playing for England means to him.
Some online claimed that Anderson had even ‘split the G’ on his pint, with Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele lauding the bowler as a true hero on X (formerly Twitter)
He wrote: ‘All the England players with a pint of Guinness, Jimmy the only one to split the G. A true hero to the very end.’
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Another added: ‘Jimmy Anderson is being interviewed in the dressing room with a Guinness in his hand while his team-mates are necking pints at midday. Cricket is undefeated.’
Anderson took one of the four wickets to fall on Friday morning, with a huge cheer going up among the patrons at Lord’s.
The swing bowler was visibly moved by the occasion and drank in the atmosphere at the home of cricket.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Anderson was asked by Hussain what he plans to do next, but he quickly quipped: ‘Can I enjoy my pint first? I have not thought that far ahead.
‘I will stick ahead for the summer to try and help the bowling group as much as I can. We will see where life takes us.’
Asked whether he has held his emotions together, he added: ‘I think I have. This morning was quite emotional with the two teams and the reaction of the crowd.
‘I am still trying to hold them [the tears] back. I am just really proud. Playing for 20 years is an incredible effort. I am happy I have made it this far and stayed injury-free.
‘Playing for England is the best job in the world so I am lucky to have been able to do it for a long time.’
After speaking with Hussain inside the changing rooms, Anderson would return back to the oval, where he was presented with a commemorative trophy in front of the fans inside the stadium.
‘It has been an amazing 20 years. I have been quite overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd this week,’ he said to Sky Sports. ‘It has been really special I appreciate everyone coming out and supporting us.
‘To get a win and to contribute to a win it is literally every time I have put on this shirt been about trying to win games for England.
‘It [the week] has been different. The emotions have been up and down. Seeing my girls ringing bell on day one, walking out today with both teams lined up was emotional. I forgot what I was doing with the ball for that first ball.
‘Winning series and Test matches has been the only thing I have been interested in. Winning in Australia, winning in India, becoming the number one side on world and contributing to those series as well. They are the things I will remember forever.’
It was a fitting send off for one of the greatest players to grace the sport, with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar taking to X (formerly Twitter) to also laud the England bowler.
‘Hey Jimmy!’ he wrote.
‘You’ve bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell. Here’s a little wish as you bid goodbye.
‘It has been a joy to watch you bowl – with that action, speed, accuracy, swing and fitness. You’ve inspired generations with your game.
‘Wish you a wonderful life ahead with good health and happiness as you put those new shoes on for the most important spell of your life – the time with family.’