James Anderson looks set to end his record-breaking England Test career this summer following talks with head coach Brendan McCullum.
McCullum is understood to have made a recent visit to the UK from New Zealand and among other items on his agenda was discussing Anderson’s England future.
McCullum spoke with Anderson over a round of golf and although it is as yet unclear whether the Lancastrian has featured in his last Test, a swansong on English soil this summer seems an increasingly likely outcome.
England play three Tests against the West Indies and then Sri Lanka, who visit Anderson’s home ground of Old Trafford in August.
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England fast bowler James Anderson was gifted a painting by the ECB for his historic, record-breaking 700 Test wickets
Anderson is England’s leading wicket-taker and became just the third bowler in history to reach 700 Test wickets in March, after spinners Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.
However, the fast bowler turns 42 in July and his returns have been dwindling in recent years, having taken just 15 wickets in his last eight Tests at an average of 50.8 in the last 12 months.
McCullum is understood to want to modify the seam attack and build towards the future with one eye on the 2025-26 Ashes.
Anderson said in March, however, that he feels in the best shape of his career – despite recognising his Test place was no longer a given.
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Michael Atherton believes England fast bowler, James Anderson has to be considered to be on of his country’s greatest ever sportsmen
“I’m really excited for the summer. 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.”
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