James Anderson bid an emotional farewell to Test cricket as England completed a mammoth innings and 114-run victory over the West Indies at Lord’s.
England got the job done in a mere two-and-a-half days, as Gus Atkinson marked a hugely impressive Test debut with 12 wickets, including three in the final session on Friday.
The headlines belonged to Anderson though, who managed to pull the curtain down on a stellar career with the wicket of Joshua Da Silva.
However, the ultimate Hollywood ending eluded the legendary left-armed bowler after inexplicably dropping a routine catch from Gudakesh Motie.
The Lancashire bowler reflected on an emotional final outing at Lord’s, with that dropped catch still on Anderson’s mind.
“I am still gutted I dropped that catch,” he told Sky Sports
“It has been an amazing week. I have been overwhelmed by the reaction. I am just proud of what I have achieved.
When asked about keeping his emotions together, he replied: “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.”
On any other day, it would be Atkinson taking the majority of the column inches following a virtuoso Test debut.
His total of 12-106 is the fourth-best score ever managed by a men’s player in their first Test match, and served as a hugely-promising sign for the future.
