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England Great Anderson Has Moments of Regret Over Upcoming Retirement
England cricket legend James Anderson, 41, has admitted that he occasionally questions his impending retirement from Test cricket, although he is confident in his decision “90 percent” of the time.
As the most successful fast bowler in Test history with 700 wickets, Anderson announced earlier this month that the first Test against the West Indies at Lord’s in July would be his final match for England.
Speaking on his BBC Tailenders podcast, Anderson, who turns 42 next month, reflected on his decision, acknowledging that he sometimes considers continuing his career, despite his age being well beyond the typical retirement age for pace bowlers.
“In my head, I feel like I could play for 10 years,” Anderson said. “I realize that is not realistic. Some days I wake up and wish I was not retiring but then 90 percent of the time I’m happy with it. Not many people in sports get the chance to retire at over 40. I’m happy I’ve made it this far.”
Anderson is only surpassed by spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan in terms of Test wickets. He needs nine more wickets in his final match to surpass the late Australian legend Warne’s tally, although Muralitharan remains well ahead with 800 Test wickets.
His decision to retire from Tests came after discussions with captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum, and director of England men’s cricket Rob Key, as the team looks to rejuvenate their bowling attack ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.
Anderson may continue with England in a backroom role for the rest of the season and has yet to decide whether he will keep playing for Lancashire, where a stand at Old Trafford is named in his honor.
Anderson has faced ongoing speculation about his future, describing the mental toll it has taken. “There’s probably been two or three moments on the field, if the opposition are 500 for three, I’ll be thinking, ‘do I really want to still be doing this?'” he said. “They are fleeting thoughts – nothing that has stuck with me for more than an over.”
He added, “I don’t know how much of that was me and how much it was the external noise that comes with aging. For the last six years, or even longer, it’s been, ‘how long can you go on for?’ That in itself, certainly for the last couple of years, has been quite draining.”
