Record-breaking bowler in final England Test
Jimmy Anderson's England's all-time wicket taker - with 700 - so far
Last updated 10th Jul 2024
James Anderson's preparing for an emotional farewell to his England cricket career - starting with day one of his final Test match.
The fast-bowling legend will play his last game for his country against the West Indies at Lord's - the same ground where he made his debut in 2003.
The soon-to-be 42-year-old is England's all-time record wicket taker, with 700 so far.
Jimmy admits he'll struggle to hold back the tears
The man Lancashire fans know as 'the Burnley Express' says he's got lots of memories to be proud of: "the fact that I'l be playing my 188th Test just short of 42 years old I think probably makes me the most proud.
That fact that I've been able to play this long, the fact that I've committed to playing for this long and tried to just push myself."
But Jimmy says he's trying not to get too emotional about it: "I'm trying to be as focussed as I can. The big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win...
I'm sure the emotions during the week will change, but right now that's what I'm trying to focus on now to stop myself crying."
"He bowled me one of the best balls I have ever faced"
Former West Indies batter Brian Lara paid tribute to James Anderson, saying he bowled one of the best balls he ever faced.
He has taken 700 wickets and one of them was against one of the greatest batters to ever play the game, when he dismissed Lara at the Oval in 2004.
And Lara, who scored 11,953 Test runs over a 16-year career, ranks that as the best ball he faced.
"He bowled me one of the best balls I have ever faced," he said on BBC Breakfast.
"He was the last English bowler to get me out, it was my last Test at the Oval against England.
"It was a little bit of an in-swinger which I shaped to hit through mid-on and it hit the pitch and straightened and it took my edge.
"You had to be a decent batter to edge it, that is all I can say."
Anderson, who was nicknamed the 'Burnley Lara' owing to his batting prowess as a youngster, will bow out against the West Indies, 21 years after making his debut.
Lara added: "He had the goods and look what he has done over 188 Test matches, a tremendous career.
"Fitting for him to go out at Lord's. He has had a tremendous career, the longevity of it, he has been playing for 21 years.
"It shows that if you really put your mind to it, you're committed and you have the discipline, you can go well."