Former England pace bowler James Anderson has revealed an interesting story from his last day playing Test cricket, involving Joe Root. However, Root had decided to stay back with Anderson while the other players went to a nightclub post-match. Anderson played his last Test against the West Indies at Lord’s in July 2024 as well. And, he shared how they found a place that served drinks and ended up having beer and chicken at 5 am.

“He’s (Root) an absolutely legend of a human. We were in the dressing room for quite a bit after my last day of Test cricket. A majority of the lads went to a nightclub. We were in the hotel bar and I said to Joe ‘you going to go with the lads?’ and he was like, ‘No, I am going where you are going tonight’,” Anderson told William Hill Sports Book Club (via TalkSport).

“So we stayed at the hotel bar, my family and friends, and then my two best mates from Burnley came to the game as well. We went out, tried to find a late drink somewhere and got to about 5 ‘o’ clock and somehow there was a chicken shop open just outside and we ended up having a beer and few wings at five in the morning watching the sun come up”, he further added.

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He also predicted that Joe Root would end up becoming the highest run-scorer in Tests. He also said that Root was one of the best batters that England had produced and applauded him for his professional approach to the game as well. However, Root currently has 13006 runs in 153 Tests for England and is fifth on the all-time list for batters with the most runs in the longer format as well.

“He’s incredible. One of maybe the best batters we have had. I think he’ll end up being the leading run-scorer for sure. But I think he is more than that. His professionalism, the way he constantly works at his game—a great example to anyone, young or old. Just a great human being off the field. Would do anything for anyone, really sweet guy,” Anderson said.

James Anderson also experienced several highs as an England cricketer. And, he rated winning the Ashes series in Australia in 2010-11 as the number one moment for him as well.

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“I think winning in Australia hands down number one for me because of the whole experience as a group. Everyone was coming to form at the right time. The impact I personally had on the series as well. I don’t think I have had as big an impact on a series as that. Playing all five games. I feel that was the best series I have had personally and of course, winning in Australia for the first time in 24 years. I don’t think we have won there since. So it was quite a big win for us and something that I don’t think can be topped,” James Anderson concluded.