England seal comprehensive innings-and-114-run win over West Indies as Jimmy Anderson signs off from Test cricket in style with 704 wickets - and the gratitude of a nation

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Victorious dressing rooms tend to be raucous places, but as Jimmy Anderson cradled a pint and tried to explain to Nasser Hussain exactly how he felt on his final day as a Test cricketer, his team-mates listened quietly, respectfully, no doubt a little sadly.

History was happening before their eyes, and no one was about to ruin the moment with a stray expletive or a spray of champagne. After 21 years, 40,037 deliveries and 704 wickets, England’s greatest bowler was now their greatest ex-bowler. Oh, Jimmy Jimmy. Was this really happening? Anderson’s words have rarely been quotable, seldom demanded to be carved in stone. But this was different. He spoke of holding back the tears, of revelling in the camaraderie, of enjoying the world’s best job — platitudes normally, now infused with profundity and pathos.

At the end of a spellbinding few minutes, his team-mates burst into applause. It was simple and heartfelt. It was perfect.

‘The interview he gave Nasser was pretty special,’ said Ben Stokes, who had promised himself to bowl Anderson until the fall of the final West Indian wicket.

James Anderson signed off from Test cricket with one final wicket as England beat West Indies

Anderson was given a guard of honour by both teams as he made his way out at Lord's

‘Moments like that, you really appreciate listening to someone like him. The guys were genuinely so interested in what he had to say. Jimmy did say he felt a bit under the pump there with everyone staring at him, but I thought he spoke really well.’

Outside, a packed Lord’s was not overly fussed that the first Test had finished barely an hour into the third morning, with England wrapping up the last four West Indians for 57 runs to complete victory by an innings and 114. There was even a cheer, another one, when it was announced they would be receiving a full refund because they had seen less than 15 overs.

And it seemed almost incidental that Gus Atkinson had marked his debut with match figures of 12 for 106, better than Anderson ever managed in 188 Tests.

The future could wait. This was all about a bowler who, for any cricket fan under the age of 30, has always seemed to be running in, swinging it this way and that, cursing under his breath, making good batsmen look foolish. When, on the podium, he mentioned the importance of Test cricket, Lord’s roared him to the rafters, as if his blessing alone safeguarded its future.

Later, with spectators allowed a rare foray on to the outfield, he emerged on the pavilion balcony, briefly looking like the Pope about to address Rome. Instead, he downed a pint of Guinness.

These last few days, Anderson has made the transition from great bowler to national treasure. Despite his reluctance both to leave the stage and to absorb the plaudits, it has been a privilege to observe.

An emotional morning had begun with both sides welcoming him with a guard of honour. He acknowledged it by shaking the hand of West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite and waving to a crowd busy giving him his latest standing ovation.

Anderson acknowledged a standing ovation at Lord’s as his Test career drew to a close

Anderson was left anguished after dropping Gudakesh Motie off his own bowling 

His first over was wide and harmless, prompting a shake of the head and a wry chuckle.

But, from the first delivery of his second over, Josh Da Silva attempted a work to leg, only for the ball to nip back off the seam and take the edge. Anderson enjoyed the moment, and why not: it was a distillation of his career.

Atkinson nipped in to dismiss the two Josephs — Alzarri and Shamar — and rule out an Anderson farewell five-for. Even so, there was almost a storybook ending when Gudakesh Motie offered a return catch: casually sticking out his left hand, Anderson somehow dropped it, then collapsed to his knees in disappointment. Still, as the crowd quickly realised, there was a silver lining: it meant his career was not yet over.

When Atkinson removed last man Jayden Seales, he apologised to Anderson, who cheerfully told him to ‘f*** off’. And the faux-grumpiness continued when Hussain asked him how he felt: ‘I’m still gutted I dropped that catch, to be honest…’

But not even the undemonstrative Anderson could keep his deeper feelings at bay for long. ‘It’s been an amazing week,’ he said. ‘I’ve been quite overwhelmed with the reaction. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved. This morning was quite emotional, with the teams lined up and the crowd reaction. I’m still trying to hold back the tears now.

‘Playing for 20-odd years is incredible, especially for a fast bowler, so I’m happy I’ve made it this far. I feel about 55 after the overs I’ve bowled this week. But it’s the best job in the world and I’ve been privileged to do it.’

Gus Atkinson claimed his fifth wicket of the innings and finished with match figures of 12 for 106

Anderson offered a wave to the crowd as he walked off for the final time in a Test match

Later, amid an endless stream of interviews, he was asked about his importance to fans. ‘I’m certainly getting more of a feeling with that this week.

‘That’s probably what makes me most happy about having a long career. I’d love to think someone took up the art of bowling because they watched me.’

Above all, Anderson has been a living, breathing advertisement for Test cricket, whose obituary is forever being refreshed in anticipation of its use. How did he regard the format? ‘It’s like life, you have ups and downs, but in five days.’ Or even 21 years.

The party is over. And yet, as team-mates toasted Anderson in the Lord’s dressing room, it was only just beginning.