“Tough to sum up..." - Dale Steyn pays remarkable tribute to James Anderson following his retirement

Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn paid a heartfelt tribute to veteran England pace bowler James Anderson following his retirement from international cricket. Dale Steyn also thanked James Anderson for the long-lasting impact he’s made in cricket, describing him as an incredible inspiration.

England secured an innings and 114 runs victory against the West Indies at Lord's Cricket Ground in London on Friday, July 12. The Ben Stokes-led team took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match series against the West Indies at home. It was James Anderson's final match in his illustrious international career.

The 41-year-old registered figures of 1/26 and 3/32 in his farewell Test match. The right-arm pacer ended his career with 704 wickets from 188 Test matches at an average of 26.46. He is the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800 wickets) and Shane Warne (708 wickets).

You Have Been Fantastic - Dale Steyn

Following his retirement, James Anderson received well-wishes from both batters and bowlers. Dale Steyn, who attended Anderson's final match, praised his remarkable career. Steyn noted he didn’t want to miss the chance to see Anderson bowl one last time.

“Tough to sum up a man’s entire career in a few sentences. Bud, you have been fantastic. Thank you so much for all these years of incredible inspiration and dramatic duels we’ve had. I was there to watch today. Some things one just shouldn’t miss. Congratulations @jimmy9,” Steyn wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Tough to sum up a man’s entire career in a few sentences.
Bud, you have been fantastic.
Thank you so much for all these years of incredible inspiration and dramatic duels we’ve had.
I was there to watch today. Some things one just shouldn’t miss.
Congratulations @<!---->j<!---->i<!---->m<!---->m<!---->y<!---->9

— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

James Anderson had no plans to retire, but team management asked him to hang his boots as England started preparation for the Ashes 2025-26 series in Australia. He will stay with the England team for the rest of the summer. The recently retired cricketer is expected to be part of Lancashire in county cricket.

An Immortal Record - Virender Sehwag

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag praised James Anderson and congratulated the pace bowler on his remarkable career. Sehwag highlighted Anderson's record of 704 Test wickets, noting that it is unlikely to be surpassed by any fast bowler.

"What a great career, Jimmy. An immortal record, don’t see any fast bowler surpassing 704 test wickets, don’t see any fast bower playing anywhere close to 188 Test matches. The longevity speaks volumes of the character, resilience and spirit. Congratulations on a great career. #JamesAnderson," Sehwag posted on 'X'.

What a great career, Jimmy. An immortal record, don’t see any fast bowler surpassing 704 test wickets, don’t see any fast bower playing anywhere close to 188 Test matches.
The longevity speaks volumes of the character, resilience and spirit. Congratulations on a great career.… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->6<!---->s<!---->S<!---->g<!---->i<!---->e<!---->L<!---->V<!---->H<!---->7

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

James Anderson retired as one of the most successful bowlers ever in international cricket. The right-arm pacer made his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord's in May 2003. Anderson became the highest wicket-taker among pace bowlers. Stuart Broad is in second place with 604 Test wickets to his name.

Earlier, England captain Ben Stokes acknowledged that James Anderson is still in top form but confirmed the decision to retire him for the upcoming Ashes series in Australia. England's managing director, Rob Key, stated that Anderson will stay on as a bowling mentor for the remainder of the English summer.

Also read: "He's shifted the thinking" - Stuart Broad and Ian Bishop on James Anderson