James Anderson walks into the sunset, England herald new dawn with Gus Atkinson

James Anderson bid adieu to Test cricket on a high note, picking 3/32, and helping England score an innings and 114-run win while also showing how fit he remains even after 188 Tests as he chased a ball going to the boundary and pulled it in with a diving effort.

The entire crowd gathered at the Lord’s for the first Test against West Indies, gave Anderson a standing ovation while the last West Indian batting pair Gudakesh Motie and Jayden Seales let him soak in the applause and enter the pavilion before they did.

“It's been an amazing week. I've been overwhelmed by the reaction. Just proud of what I achieved. This morning was quite emotional with the two teams lined up and the reaction from the crowd was pretty special,” said Anderson while speaking to former England skipper Nasser Hussain after spending his last day in Test cricket.

Anderson finished with 704 Test wickets, behind Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and late Shane Warne (708). His 188 in a career spanning over 21 years are also the second most Tests by an individual behind Sachin Tendulkar's 200. 

The first Test at Lord’s began with Anderson’s daughters ringing the bell. Before the start of the third day’s play (July 12), both teams lined up to give the veteran a guard of honour.

“Playing for 20-odd years is an incredible effort, especially for a fast bowler, so I am just happy I have made it this far. Playing for England is the best job in the world. I have been privileged to do it for a long time.

“We talk a lot in the dressing room about creating memories. I have been lucky to play with some of the most talented cricketers that have ever played the game, but more importantly, some really good blokes and some friends I have made for life.”

He later said at the presentation that he has made peace with the decision.

“I have [made peace with it]. It's been an amazing 20 years. I am overwhelmed by the reaction from the crowd.”

England won the Test inside three days with newcomer pace bowler Gus (Angus) Atkinson recording the second-best match figures by a bowler on debut at Lord's. He took 12/106, which is just behind Bob Massie’s 16/137 taken at the iconic ground in 1972, over half a century ago.

Atkinson took 7/45 in first innings and followed it up with 5/61 in the second innings to win the Player of the Match Award on debut.

Atkinson paid tribute to Anderson, saying, “I just want to say thanks to Jimmy. Playing here in his last Test has been incredible, and to do so well has been incredible. Growing up, Jimmy was someone I had come here to Lord's to watch. I was at mid-off looking over at Jimmy running in thinking, ‘I’ve seen this so many times on the TV’. It was amazing. What's so good with this group is you're allowed to come in and be the player you want to be. To come in this week and do so well is fantastic.”

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James Anderson, Gus Atkinson, England cricket, Lord's