James Anderson set to retire from Test cricket: report

England's legendary bowler James Anderson will retire from Test cricket after this summer, the Guardian reported.

According to details, the 41-year-old made the decision after face-to-face talks with the head coach, Brendon McCullum.

England are looking to build a seam attack for the next Ashes series in the winter of 2025-26, by which time Anderson will be 43.

England are scheduled to play six Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer, including one against the latter on Anderson’s home ground, Old Trafford, in late August – and that will likely be his last Test.

His longtime bowling companion, Stuart Broad, decided to end his career last summer and had a fairytale farewell, riding off into the sunset after clinching a wicket with his final ball, securing a draw for England in the Ashes.

This summer, Anderson aims to emulate that farewell after some disappointing displays in England's recent series against Australia and India. Over eight matches, the seamer managed to secure 15 wickets, averaging 50.80. He acknowledged in March that his position in the team was "not a given".

"I'm really excited for the summer," he said on his BBC podcast Tailenders. "I'm definitely in the best shape I've ever been in. I'm not getting any worse. I like where my game is at and I still have that enjoyment of turning up every day and trying to get better in the nets.

"My place in the team is not a given, so I've got to work hard to prove I'm worth a place in the summer." England will now focus on refreshing their seam attack, with opportunities expected to be handed to a number of promising prospects.

Remember, Anderson became the first seamer to clinch 700 Test wickets, and third overall, in the fifth and final Test between England and India in March.

Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan is at the top of the all-time chart with 800 wickets from 133 Tests, followed by Australia spin legend Shane Warne (708).