Watch- Sachin Tendulkar gets emotional as James Anderson bids goodbye to international cricket

Former India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has penned down a heartfelt message for James Anderson to congratulate him on his illustrious Test career.

The England great brought down curtains on his Test career on Friday (July 12) with the conclusion of the first Test against West Indies at Lord's. England thrashed West Indies by an innings and 114 runs inside three days to take the lead in the three-match series.

The Ben Stokes-led side thoroughly dominated the contest and outplayed the beleaguered hosts. Asked to bat first, West Indies were bowled out for just 121 runs in the first innings with debutant Gus Atkinson picking up 7 wickets. In reply, England finished their innings on 271 runs to take a big lead of 250 runs.

Zak Crawley (76), Ollie Pope (57), Harry Brook (50), Joe Root (68) and Jamie Smith (70) hit half-centuries for the home side. In the second innings, West Indies failed to do well with the bat once again as they were bowled out for just 136 runs.

West Indies started day 3 on 79 for 6 and were bowled out inside the first session. James Anderson struck first to send back Joshua Da Silva before Atkinson picked up the remaining three wickets to complete his second five-wicket haul in the game.

Anderson, on the other hand, finished the game with 3 wickets. However, the game was not at all about Anderson's performance as the cricketing fraternity has been busy giving him tributes for his legendary career.

Sachin Tendulkar's message for James Anderson:

Sachin Tendulkar also made sure to congratulate James Anderson on his illustrious career. On Friday, the legendary batsman took to X (formerly Twitter) to pen down a special message for the England great. Tendulkar said that seeing Anderson bowl has been a joy to watch and stated that the pacer has inspired generations with his game.

"Hey Jimmy! You've bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell. Here's a little wish as you bid goodbye," wrote Tendulkar.

"It has been a joy to watch you bowl - with that action, speed, accuracy, swing and fitness. You've inspired generations with your game," he added.

Tendulkar concluded by wishing Anderson on his new innings in life, writing: "Wish you a wonderful life ahead with good health and happiness as you put those new shoes on for the most important spell of your life - the time with family."

Hey Jimmy!

You've bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell. Here's a little wish as you bid goodbye.

It has been a joy to watch you bowl - with that action, speed, accuracy, swing and fitness. You've inspired generations with your game.

Wish you a wonderful life… p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->E<!---->T<!---->p<!---->2<!---->e<!---->6<!---->q<!---->I<!---->Q<!---->1

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4

Anderson's county club Lancashire also posted a video of Tendulkar paying tribute to the pacer. In the video, Tendulkar recalled how he was impressed by Anderson's bowling way back in 2002 and how the then England captain Nasser Hussain had called him the future of English cricket.

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🌹 #<!---->R<!---->e<!---->d<!---->R<!---->o<!---->s<!---->e<!---->T<!---->o<!---->g<!---->e<!---->t<!---->h<!---->e<!---->r | #<!---->T<!---->h<!---->a<!---->n<!---->k<!---->Y<!---->o<!---->u<!---->J<!---->i<!---->m<!---->m<!---->y p<!---->i<!---->c<!---->.<!---->t<!---->w<!---->i<!---->t<!---->t<!---->e<!---->r<!---->.<!---->c<!---->o<!---->m<!---->/<!---->d<!---->J<!---->H<!---->l<!---->W<!---->Q<!---->a<!---->h<!---->2<!---->E

— Lancashire Lightning (@lancscricket) J<!---->u<!---->l<!---->y<!----> <!---->1<!---->2<!---->,<!----> <!---->2<!---->0<!---->2<!---->4