James Anderson set to retire this England summer as Brendon McCullum informs plans to build for future

James Anderson is set to bid adieu to cricket later this year after England head coach Brendon McCullum informed him personally that the team is looking to build for the future.

Anderson, who made his international debut back in December 2002, has established himself as one of the finest pacers of all time. No other pacer has taken more wickets in international cricket than the Burnley-born. In 400 international matches, Anderson has bagged an impressive 987 wickets. He is only behind Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne in the list of highest wicket-takers in international cricket. In the recent England tour of India, the 41-year-old bagged his 700th Test wicket and became the first pacer to achieve the feat.

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According to a report from The Guardian, McCullum recently embarked on a five-day trip to the United Kingdom, travelling 11,000 miles from his home in New Zealand to meet Anderson and tell him in person, over a round of golf, that the Test team is looking to build for the future.

It can be expected that The Three Lions are looking to form a seam attack for the next Ashes series in the winter of 2025-26, by which time the pacer will turn 43. England play three Tests against West Indies in July and three more against Sri Lanka in August. The first Test match against Sri Lanka is set to be played at Anderson’s home ground, Old Trafford, and that could be his swansong.

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Anderson picked up 10 wickets in four matches at 33.50 on the tour to India earlier this year. Captain Ben Stokes and coach McCullum suffered their first series defeat, as they lost 1-4 against the Asian giants. McCullum was asked about Anderson's chances of playing the next Ashes tour of Australia after the series defeat. The former New Zealand captain sat on the fence and said that it is important to utilise his experience while he is with the team.

“I don’t know, honestly. Who knows where the end line for him is but for now, just enjoy having Jimmy around and make sure we utilise that experience he’s got. He’s a great resource for the other guys within the unit," McCullum said.