It is an end of an era as James Anderson has bid adieu to Test cricket for England. The veteran speedster has brought down curtains to his celebrated career, which spanned 21 years. The 41-year-old received hugs and a pat on his back from his teammates after England won the 1st Test match against West Indies at the Lord's Cricket Ground on July 12th, Friday. It all started in 2003 when a 20-year-old Anderson stepped on to the field and ended at the same venue, at the Home of Cricket.

Anderson claimed four wickets in the game as England won the match by an innings and 114 runs. The bowler had the opportunity to take a wicket on his final ball of Test cricket and take a five-wicket haul. However, he missed a caught-and-bowled opportunity during the 44th over. The 41-year-old will be pleased to end his career on a high note.

Anderson's career in Test cricket- 188 matches. 704 wickets. 26.45 average. 56.8 strike-rate. 2.79 economy rate. 7/42 Best figures.

- Most wickets taken by a fast-bowler: Anderson holds the record for the most wickets taken by a fast-bowler with 704 in 188 Test matches. Anderson's former compatriot Stuart Broad, who has already retired, remains the only other pacer with over 600 Test scalps, i.e. 604.

-Sixth-most fifers in Test cricket: Anderson has 32 fifers to his name, which is the sixth-most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket history. Muttiah Muralitharan has the most with 67, followed by Sur Richard Hadlee (36), Anil Kumble (35), R Ashwin (36), and Rangana Herath (34). Anderson's tally also includes three 10-wicket match hauls.

-2nd most appearances in Tests - Anderson retired with a record 188 Test appearances, the second-most for a player after Sachin Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests. Among the current active players, Australia's Nathan Lyon is the next in line with 129 Test appearances.

-Most wickets taken 'caught' by wk- Anderson has the most number of international wickets taken caught by the wicket-keeper, which is 249. No other active player has even 200 scalps. His tally of 467 wickets taken caught overall is the most for a bowler in Test cricket. Anderson also has the second-most wickets taken bowled by a pacer in the longest format, i.e. 137. He is only behind Muthiah Muralitharan, i.e. 167 overall.

-Anderson's milestone scalp in Test cricket - Anderson picked the wicket of Kuldeep Yadav in the Dharamsala Test to complete 700 wickets. His 100th wicket was Jacques Kallis, the 200th was Peter Siddle, the 300th wicket was Peter Fulton, the 400th wicket was Martin Guptill, the 500th wicket was Kraigg Brathwaite, the 600th wicket was Azhar Ali. 

Source: India Today