Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Anderson 'gutted' at spilling No. 705 as he leaves 'the best job in the world'

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Friday, 12 July 2024 05:59
James Anderson's Test career, spanning 188 matches over 21 years, came to an end where it had begun - at Lord's - with a three-for in the second innings as England routed West Indies by an innings and 114 runs.

"Obviously this morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd was pretty special," Anderson told Sky Cricket after the game. "But yeah, I'm still trying to hold them [tears] back now, but I think I'm just really proud of playing for 20-odd years. [It] is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler.

"I'm just happy that I've made it this far. Happy that I've been lucky enough to stay injury-free pretty much throughout my career. And yeah, play for England. It's the best job in the world, so I've been privileged to be able to do it for a long time."

Anderson's family, including his wife and daughters, who rang the bell at the start of the Test, were with him when he was done.

"Yeah, has been different emotions, been so up and down. Saw my girls ring a bell on day one. Walking out today with both teams lined up again was pretty emotional. I forgot what I was actually trying to do with the ball," Anderson said at a press interaction after the game. "But yeah, it's been incredible. As I said, the reaction of crowds was phenomenal. I can't get my head around it right now.

"But yeah, it's just been an amazing 20 years. Every moment, every great sports person, there is the family, mother, father, wife, kids, who allow you to do what you've done for so long."

Anderson finished with 704 Test wickets and it could have been 705 if he had not dropped a dolly off Gudakesh Motie off his own bowling, which would have finished off the game.

"I'm still gutted to have dropped that catch to be honest," Anderson said. "But yeah, it's been an amazing week. I've been quite overwhelmed with the reaction of the crowd and everyone around the ground and the lads as well, just proud of what I've achieved."

After starting under Nasser Hussain (also his interviewer at the end) in a team that still had the likes of Michael Vaughan and Alec Stewart to playing with debutants Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith in his final Test, Anderson has had 109 team-mates in Test cricket.

"I've been lucky to play with some amazing players," Anderson said. "Some of the most talented cricketers that have ever played the game, but more importantly, some really good blokes and some friends that I've made for life.

"And it is a really special sport. I think no other sport creates this sort of atmosphere, these sorts of friendships, and part of me is a little bit jealous of these lads [who] get to experience that for the next few years. As I said, we've got a young team, lots of incredible talent, and the advice I'd pass on to them is just enjoy every moment, because it's a great ride."

Anderson was part of 83 of England's Test wins including the ones that won them an Away Ashes in 2010/11, after a 24-year drought, and a 2-1 series win in India in 2012 - which is the last instance of an away team beating India in India.

"Winning winning series and winning Test matches," Anderson said are the most special memories of his career, "it's been the only thing that I've been interested in since I came into the England team - winning in Australia, winning in India becoming number one site in the world and contributing to those those series as well. Taking wickets, they're the things that are remembered forever; playing with some of the greats in the game as well. It's just been really really special."

What feeling will he miss the most?

"Well, I think just the feeling that we've got now - winning the Test match," he said. "There's no better feeling - everyone's put in the graft this week. I know it looks like we've dominated, but we've had to work really hard for this win; sharing other people's success as well.

"Gus was amazing this week on debut, Jamie Smith on debut as well. Incredible. Seeing the lads go out there and show off their talent, and then you get to sit in here after a win and celebrate those sorts of performances together is an incredible sort of thing that I'll definitely miss.

And what will he miss the least?

"Feeling like I do now," Anderson said. "I feel about 55 after the overs I've bowled this week. The aches and pains that you wake up with, I think I'll miss them. But yeah, I mean, as I said, I feel really fortunate. I've been able to do what I've done for a long time and I'm just happy that I've made it this far."

Asked if he will continue playing for Lancashire, at Old Trafford, from the end named after him, Anderson joked, "You let me enjoy me Guinness first (laughs).

"I think I've not really thought that far ahead. I'm going to stick around for the rest of the summer with these guys. Try and help the bowling group out as much as I can, and we will see where life takes is a bit after that. I'm not looked that far ahead."

Read 68 times

Soccer

Girma: 'Such a joy' to score first USWNT goals

Girma: 'Such a joy' to score first USWNT goals

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNaomi Girma scored her first two international goals and the United...

Savinho goes off in tears as City face injury crisis

Savinho goes off in tears as City face injury crisis

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City winger Savinho was carried off on a stretcher durin...

Ruud would stay with Man United in 'any capacity'

Ruud would stay with Man United in 'any capacity'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsRuud van Nistelrooy said he is ready to stay at Manchester United "...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

L. Walker to sign with Lithuania's Zalgiris Kaunas

L. Walker to sign with Lithuania's Zalgiris Kaunas

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter being waived by the Boston Celtics out of training camp, six-...

Warriors exercise option on Podziemski's contract

Warriors exercise option on Podziemski's contract

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Warriors have picked up the third...

Baseball

World Series Game 5: Dodgers eye title as Yankees look to save season -- again

World Series Game 5: Dodgers eye title as Yankees look to save season -- again

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Los Angeles Dodgers are still one win from a World Series title...

Sources: Interfering Yanks fans banned from G5

Sources: Interfering Yanks fans banned from G5

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Yankees fans who were ejected from Game 4 of the World...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated