ENG vs WI 2024: James Anderson fights back tears amid standing ovation from fans at Lord’s long room

James Anderson. (Source – Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

Day 3 of the first Test between England and the West Indies could be the last time the cricket fraternity gets to witness James Anderson as a professional cricketer. The legendary pacer is set to retire after the completion of the Test.

The first Test is being played at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, which has seen Anderson delivering some of the most mesmerising spells in the purest format of the game during an illustrious career which has spanned over a couple of decades. The West Indies have been dominated on the first two days of the Test by the hosts. To sum up the scores, the Caribbean side is struggling at 79/6 in the second innings, still needing another 171 runs to avoid an innings defeat.

While cricket is a game of various uncertainties and miracles, the West Indies taking the game to Day 4 seems quite unlikely. Therefore, fans assembled at Lord’s in numbers to see the iconic Anderson in action for potentially the last time as an international cricketer. As the 41-year-old was making his way out through the historic long room for the start of play on Day 3, the fans and attendees gave him a standing ovation and appreciated his efforts for the Three Lions with a warm round of applause.

Also Read: ENG vs WI 2024: Jayden Seales reveals how run-out celebration spoilt West Indies’ guard of honour plans for James Anderson

In a video posted by Lord’s Cricket Ground on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), Anderson was seen waiting patiently, just outside the field, as his teammates prepared to give him a guard of honour. The Burnley-born speedster was fighting back his tears ahead of his last dance.

Check out the viral moment of Anderson here:

Anderson picked a wicket in his final bowling spell of his Test career for England

James Anderson bowled 10.4 overs in the first innings and accounted for the wicket of Jayden Seales. He conceded 26 runs and bowled three maidens during his effort.

Also Read: ‘He bowled me one of the best balls’ – Brian Lara lauds James Anderson ahead of imminent retirement

So far in the second innings, the veteran has delivered 10 overs, where he has given away just 11 runs and bagged the important wickets of Kraigg Brathwaite and Alick Athanaze. The experienced campaigner signed off on Day 3 without taking a wicket. Interestingly, he did get a chance to add one more victim to his illustrious wickets tally but failed to take a dolly.