James Anderson will play his last Test in a team featuring two debutants after Surrey’s Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson were selected for this week’s series opener against the West Indies at Lord’s.
England cut short speculation about their side for the first of a three-Test series by naming their starting XI on Monday — two days before the start of Wednesday’s match.
Anderson’s 188th and final Test appearance will mark the end of a record-breaking career spanning two decades.
No fast bowler has taken more than Anderson’s 700 Test wickets and only India batting hero Sachin Tendulkar has played more matches in the five-day format.
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On Monday, Anderson said he had come to terms with his impending Test retirement even though he feels he is bowling as well as ever as his 42nd birthday approaches.
The decision to retire was effectively made for him when he met with England managing director Rob Key, red-ball coach Brendon McCullum and Test captain Ben Stokes in late April.
The hierarchy told Anderson they wanted to make changes as they looked to build a squad for the 2025/26 Ashes series in Australia.
“I wouldn’t say it was a surprise because when the three big dogs invited me to a hotel in Manchester for a chat I didn’t think it was just a normal appraisal,” Anderson told reporters at a news conference at Lord’s.
“I had a suspicion that that was going to be the case. I think they were surprised at how calm I was when I reacted. I think I was probably surprised at my reaction. I wasn’t overly emotional about it or angry about it or anything.”
He added: “I saw their point of view and appreciated them taking the time out to lay it out for me, the reasoning and stuff like that. Since then I’ve come to terms with it and made peace with that decision.
“Now I’m just looking forward to one more game and then see what’s ahead.”
Anderson, who will serve as a mentor to England’s quicks for the rest of the season, warmed up for his Test exit with an impressive seven-wicket haul for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire last week in the County Championship.
“I feel like I’m still bowling as well as I ever have,” he continued.
“But I knew it had to end at some point. Whether it’s now or in a year or two … I’d love just to be able to contribute somehow this week.
“Whether it’s one wicket or whatever it is, I’d love just to make a small contribution and win the game.”
The normally reserved Anderson said he might struggle to keep his emotions in check while bringing down the curtain on a Test career that started 21 years ago against Zimbabwe at Lord’s.
“I’m sure the emotions during the week will change, but right now what I’m trying to focus on is to stop myself crying,” he said.
The Lord’s Test will also launch a new era for England as well. As the lone wicketkeeper in the squad after England dropped Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes, Smith’s place at number seven was assured before Monday’s announcement.
But doubts remained about the composition of England’s attack in a team again captained by Ben Stokes.
Atkinson has forced his way in ahead of Durham’s Matthew Potts and the uncapped Nottinghamshire quick Dillon Pennington.
The 26-year-old Atkinson has previously played nine ODIs and three T20s and was an unused squad member during the recent Test tour of India.
He has now been given an opportunity to take over from both Anderson and fellow veteran Stuart Broad, who retired after the end of England’s drawn home series against Australia in September last year.
Meanwhile, Chris Woakes will make his first Test appearance in a year as the 35-year-old prepares to become the leader of England’s pace attack in the second Test at Trent Bridge.
Spin bowler Shoaib Bashir, who edged his more senior Somerset teammate Jack Leach out of the squad, will make a first home appearance after taking 17 wickets in three Tests in India.
England XI for Lord’s Test vs West Indies
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson