James Anderson set to reverse retirement decision, hints Moeen Ali ahead of Lord's Test

James Anderson will bring down the curtains on his illustrious Test career this season. He will be retiring from the longest format of the game after the Lord's Test against West Indies later this month.

The retirement will bring to one of the most decorated careers in the history of Test cricket. 21 years ago, James Anderson had made his Test debut at the same iconic venue and will now retire from the game as the most prolific Test pacer of all time. Very few pacers in the history of the game have enjoyed a career as long as James Anderson's.

At a time when pacers around the world are struggling to remain fit and enjoy a long career, the England legend has been an exception by miles. No fast bowler has taken more wickets than him in the longest format of the game. Only Muttiah Muralitharan and Shane Warne have picked up more wickets than him.

Earlier this year, the right-arm pacer became the first pacer to take 700 Test wickets, achieving the feat during the Dharamsala Test against India. And as Anderson gears up to retire from Tests this month, his former England teammate Moeen Ali has said that the Lord's Test might not be the veteran pacer's last game in the longest format of the game.

Perhaps it won’t be his last: Moeen Ali

Writing in his column for The Guardian, Moeen Ali stated that it would not be very smart of England if they didn't capitalize on James Anderson's knowledge. He further wrote that the Lord's Test might not be James Anderson's last as a player.

Citing his own example, the veteran allrounder hinted that Anderson might play more than just one more Test for the national team. Moeen Ali had come out of Test retirement last year to play in the Ashes against Australia at home.

"It would be silly if English cricket let that knowledge go to waste and it is good Jimmy will mentor the Test bowlers for the rest of the summer, even after this last match at Lord’s. Who knows, perhaps it won’t be his last. As someone who has retired from Test cricket more than once, my advice would be never say never," wrote Moeen Ali.

Meanwhile, Anderson has warmed up for his last Test in style by taking a 7-wicket haul for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire in the county championship. He picked up 7 wickets for just 35 runs in the first innings to help his side bowl out Nottinghamshire for just 126 before taking 1 wicket in the second innings as the game ended in a draw.