“The big thing for me this week is…” James Anderson in his final England Test

England pacer James Anderson will play his 188th and final Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground this week against the West Indies. The 41-year-old, who will turn 42 at the end of this month, is focused on getting his team to victory but admits he is worried about his retirement.

James Anderson focus and emotions

“I’m trying not to think too much about the game itself right now, or how I’m going to feel about it,” Anderson said during a press conference before the game. “I try to focus as much as possible. The biggest thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well, and win. That’s what I’m really trying to focus on. I’m sure the feelings will change during the week, but right now that’s what I’m trying to focus on to stop crying.”

A record-breaking feat

In his impressive career, Anderson has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests, becoming only the third bowler – and only the fastest bowler – to reach this milestone in a long time. Shane Warne (708) and Muttiah Muralitharan (800). He surpassed this milestone during the fifth and final Test against India in Dharamsala in March.

UPDATE: ENG vs WI – England reveal their XI for James Anderson’s farewell Test

Latest form and questions about retirement

Anderson’s latest performance, taking 7/35 for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire in County Cricket, has sparked talk of whether he was retiring prematurely. “It’s hard to say. I don’t really have a choice,” Anderson commented. “It was important for me to try to do well what I will finish with. Every time I’ve had the chance to go back and play for them, I’ve tried to give everything I did the week before.

“Coming off after seven games last week, obviously I feel like I’m still throwing as well as I did. I knew it had to end at some point, whether it was now or a year or two. The fact that now is something I have to face and accept.”

Anderson’s decision to retire

In May this year, Anderson announced his retirement following the first Test against the West Indies. The decision came after a report in the Guardian suggested that England’s team managers were looking ahead to the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia and had not seen Anderson cut.

Anderson admitted he had not considered retirement before the meeting with the England men’s manager Rob KeyTest captain Ben Stokes and the head coach Brendon McCullum. “I didn’t think about it because, like I said, I felt as fit as I ever was in India,” Anderson explained.

“I thought that playing this summer would come true. Obviously, as a big bowler, you don’t play the whole test anyway, you rest and stuff like that. I thought that was possible and thought about things after that. That’s how I’ve always talked about it,” the Lancacastrian added.

As Anderson prepares to bid farewell to international cricket, the cricketing world will be watching, celebrating the career of one of England’s greatest bowlers.

UPDATE: James Anderson reveals his favorite Test match in England