"Brendon McCullum, you are a criminal" - Twitter reacts as James Anderson announces retirement

James Anderson, on Saturday (May 11), announced that he would retire from Test cricket after the first Test of the three-match series against West Indies in the upcoming home season. The Test is scheduled to be played at the iconic Lord's from July 10.

James Anderson himself announced the news of his retirement. Taking to Instagram, the veteran fast-bowler posted a heartfelt statement as he delivered the news of his Test retirement. The announcement comes just a few weeks after he became the first pacer and just the third bowler in the history of Test cricket to reach 700 Test wickets. He achieved the feat during the Dharamsala Test in March.

In October last year, James Anderson had signed a new one-year central contract. However, he decided to bring down the curtains on his illustrious career after a recent talk with head coach Brendon McCullum. According to reports, McCullum told the pacer to take a call on his future as the team management wanted to begin preparations for next year's Ashes.

"Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord’s will be my last Test.

"It’s been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I’ve loved since I was a kid. I’m going to miss walking out for England so much. But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling," wrote James Anderson in his Instagram post.

"I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of Daniella, Lola, Ruby and my parents. A huge thank you to them. Also, thank you to the players and coaches who have made this the best job in the world.

"I’m excited for the new challenges that lie ahead, as well as filling my days with even more golf.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it," he added.

Tributes pour in for James Anderson:

Tributes have been pouring in from all quarters ever since James Anderson announced that the Lord's Test against West Indies in July will be his last. Some fans have slammed England red-ball head coach Brendon McCullum for pressurizing James Anderson into taking retirement. Here are some of the reactions to the England's great Test retirement:

Hard to come to terms with this..Baz McCullum you are a criminal..2023-2024 not a great time for English cricket l h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->b<!---->Z<!---->k<!---->T<!---->Q<!---->K<!---->r<!---->O<!---->W<!---->j

— . (@Jose863_) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

I think McCullum asking Jimmy to step aside is both the right and wrong thing to do.

He’d go forever unless someone told him to stop but at the same time, I guess he should be allowed to do that whenever he feels like it.

— Mark (@Marksism__) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Brendan McCullum has blood on his hands h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->V<!---->q<!---->Y<!---->m<!---->y<!---->X<!---->i<!---->C<!---->s<!---->a

— Todd Bartley (@ToddBartley1) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Jimmy Anderson not allowed to go on his own terms
Brendon McCullum you will ROT IN HELL

— ABHIJIT NAIR 🏏🇦🇺 (@Rahul_bill) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

When Broad retired he mentioned how he and Jimmy decided they wouldn’t retire together. Meaning I find it hard to believe Anderson chose to retire himself less than a year later.

If these rumours are true, I do hope McCullum is gone soon but that’s unforgivable

— Carlton Evans (@Carlton_LFC) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Shocking treatment from McCullum and Rob Key! Forced out and not on his own terms. Can’t do that to the greatest English bowler ever. #<!---->m<!---->c<!---->c<!---->u<!---->l<!---->l<!---->u<!---->m<!---->o<!---->u<!---->t #<!---->k<!---->e<!---->y<!---->o<!---->u<!---->t

— James Gulleford (@jamesg163) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Remember, Brendan McCullum has just retired a man capable of this on the 15th tee h<!---->t<!---->t<!---->p<!---->s<!---->:<!---->/<!---->/<!---->t<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->/<!---->v<!---->n<!---->G<!---->Y<!---->k<!---->K<!---->Y<!---->T<!---->1<!---->c

— Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Jimmy Anderson played his first Test at the Lord's and will end his career at the Lord's. 🐐
Legend of test cricket #<!---->J<!---->a<!---->m<!---->e<!---->s<!---->A<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->s<!---->o<!---->n #<!---->C<!---->r<!---->i<!---->c<!---->k<!---->e<!---->t #<!---->E<!---->n<!---->g<!---->l<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->7<!---->P<!---->d<!---->G<!---->E<!---->r<!---->I<!---->H<!---->D<!---->K

— md Hammad Khan (محمد حماد) (@MdHammadKhan5) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

🚨📢 James Anderson's retirement is official now, game vs WI at Lords will be his last game💔

He is the only fast bowler in the world with 700 test wickets and nk one ever will come closer to him & after turning 30, he took 432 wickets at 24 avg 🔥🐐p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->N<!---->q<!---->L<!---->h<!---->m<!---->F<!---->6<!---->8<!---->Y<!---->Z

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

21 years ago the legend of pace bowling stepped in and rest is history#<!---->j<!---->a<!---->m<!---->e<!---->s<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->s<!---->o<!---->n #<!---->j<!---->i<!---->m<!---->m<!---->y<!---->a<!---->n<!---->d<!---->e<!---->r<!---->s<!---->o<!---->n p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->9<!---->s<!---->J<!---->T<!---->A<!---->F<!---->0<!---->6<!---->i<!---->y

— Sara Tendulkar Commentary (@i_saratendulkar) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

GOAT Fast Bowler

Jimmy Anderson is finally going to retire

- What a bowler
- What a longevity
- What a character
- What a player p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->5<!---->p<!---->d<!---->S<!---->d<!---->4<!---->2<!---->i<!---->0<!---->k

— Ash (@Ashsay_) M<!---->a<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->1<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

James Anderson began his career in international cricket in 2002 and made his Test debut in 2003. So far, he has picked up 700 wickets in 187 Tests. No other pacer has managed to take more wickets than him in Tests. In fact, no pacer has even managed to touch the 700-wicket mark in the longest format of the game. He has also played 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is.