James Anderson, one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, bid farewell to Test cricket in July 2024, closing the chapter on a glittering two-decade career. But nearly a year after his retirement, Anderson has made a startling revelation — he never intended to walk away from the game. His disclosure has surprised many, especially given how seamlessly England seemed to move on from their most prolific pacer.

As England battles India in the ongoing five-Test series, James Anderson’s legacy looms large. This year marks the inaugural edition of the newly renamed Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a tribute to two giants of the game — Anderson with the ball and Sachin Tendulkar with the bat. The trophy replaces the long-standing Pataudi Trophy, symbolising not only the fierce rivalry between England and India but also the respect shared across borders.

Jame Anderson, who played his final Test against the West Indies just weeks before turning 42, reflected on his unexpected exit from the format he dominated. Having debuted in 2002 as a 20-year-old tearaway, Anderson became the most successful pace bowler in Test history with 702 wickets. Yet, as he revealed recently, the decision to retire wasn’t his.

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“To be honest, retirement wasn’t even on my mind. I wasn’t angry about it, but my wife certainly was — probably still is,” he admitted. He also credited her as his unwavering supporter throughout his career.

Jimmy Anderson says his wife is still angry at how he was moved on by England. 😠 🤷 #BBCCricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/UplAFSgnzl

— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 23, 2025

Despite stepping away from international Tests, Anderson remains active on the domestic circuit. He continues to shine in England’s T20 tournaments, including a standout showing in the Vitality Blast. His performances have earned him a wildcard pick by the Manchester Originals for the upcoming season of The Hundred — a testament to his enduring fitness and passion for the game.

In total, Anderson finished with 991 international wickets: 702 in Tests, 269 in ODIs, and 18 in T20Is. His name now sits beside Tendulkar’s, whose international run tally stands at a staggering 34,357, as the two legends jointly inaugurated the new trophy before the series began.

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The current series has lived up to the billing. England opened with a dominant win at Headingley, while India bounced back emphatically in Birmingham. England regained the upper hand at Lord’s, leading 2-1 with two Tests left — in Manchester and The Oval. As the series nears its climax, both teams still have a shot at etching their name into the history books as the first winners of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.