Watch: MCC President Mark Nicholas confers England legend James Anderson with honorary lifetime membership post retiring from international cricket

Legendary England pacer James Anderson bid adieu to his illustrious international cricket career on a winning note. Amid holding emotions and fans along with cricket experts highlighting his incredible feats in the field, one more special moment arrived after the conclusion of the first Test between England and West Indies. Notably, the hosts pummelled the visitors on Day 3 itself to give a fitting tribute to Anderson.

Post the match, the 'Burnley Express' was conferred with an honorary lifetime membership of the renowned Marylebone Cricket Club aka MCC. Anderson finished his career with an emphatic win of an innings and 114 runs over West Indies at the Mecca of Cricket- Lord's. Incredibly, his career spanned nearly 22 years, where he represented England for an astonishing 188 times and ended up taking 704 wickets.

At the post-match presentation, the honourable President of the MCC, Mark Nicholas, bestowed the coveted lifetime membership to James Anderson amid a rousing ovation both from his teammates and the crowd who showed utmost appreciation on the occasion.

Watch the viral moment of Anderson moment here:

James Anderson has been granted an MCC honorary life membership.

pic.twitter.com/nxWHcCNDR3

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) July 12, 2024

Also Read: Playing for England is the best job in the world: James Anderson

James Anderson finished with 704 wickets for England in Tests

The legendary swing king James Anderson has time and again broken into the record galleries for numerous ming boggling records during his international cricket career. The Burnley Express kickstarted his Test career at the same venue where he decided to hang his boots. In what was an unparalleled longevity, the legendary English pacer made his debut against Zimbabwe back in 2003. Anderson bowed out from Test format only after becoming the third bowler with the most wickets to his name after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and  Australia's Shane Warne (708), respectively.

Also Read - Sachin Tendulkar pays tribute to retiring James Anderson

Moreover, during his two decades of bowling, he became the only pacer to have bowled more than 40,000 deliveries in Tests. Speaking of his farewell Test, James Anderson managed to pick three wickets against West Indies. The number may not speak a lot considering both the innings, but the way he dismissed batters was sheer skill and a testament to an incredible fitness regime.

As the Test series advances, England will now clash with West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge, starting from July 18. Notably, Anderson also confirmed that he will remain with the team throughout the series to watch the young players from close quarters and assist them in any possible roles England need him at their behest.