‘Focus is on stopping myself from crying’

England great James Anderson said on Monday that he had come to terms with his impending Test retirement even though he feels he is bowling as well as ever as his 42nd birthday approachesThe first Test against the West Indies at Lordrsquos starting on Wednesday will be the pacemanrsquos 188th and final appearance after a recordbreaking career spanning two decades atOptions key d0ddb8ef8f1a62a8cdd22fac27fc5ea7 format iframe height 90 width 728 params In early May Anderson released a statement saying he would retire from Test cricket after the first Test against the West Indies ldquoNow Irsquom just looking forward to one more game and then see whatrsquos aheadrdquo Anderson told a news conference at LordrsquoslsquoBowling as well as everrsquoAnderson warmed up for his Test exit with an impressive sevenwicket haul for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire last week in the English County Championship ldquoI feel like Irsquom still bowling as well as I ever haverdquo he saidldquoBut I knew it had to end at some point Whether itrsquos now or in a year or two Irsquod love just to be able to contribute somehow this week Whether itrsquos one wicket or whatever it is Irsquod love just to make a small contribution and win the gamerdquoAlso ReadJames Anderson A burly fast bowlerThe normally reserved Anderson said he might struggle to keep his emotions in check while bringing down the curtain on a Test career that started 21 years ago against Zimbabwe at Lordrsquos ldquoIrsquom sure the emotions during the week will change but right now what Irsquom trying to focus on is to stop myself cryingrdquo he saidLooking at the futureAnderson might have carried on for the rest of the season even though he turns 42 at the end of July But the decision to retire was effectively made for him when he met with managing director Rob Key redball coach Brendon McCullum and Test captain Ben Stokes in late April The hierarchy told Anderson they wanted to make changes as they looked to build a squad for the 202526 Ashes series in AustralialdquoI wouldnrsquot say it was a surprise because when the three big dogs invited me to a hotel in Manchester for a chat I didnrsquot think it was just a normal appraisalrdquo said the bowler who will serve as a mentor to Englandrsquos quicks for the rest of the season ldquoI had a suspicion that that was going to be the case I think they were surprised at how calm I was when I reacted I wasnrsquot overly emotional or angry about it or anythingrdquo He added ldquoI saw their point of view and appreciated them taking the time out to lay it out for me the reasoning and stuff like thatrdquo700No of wickets claimed by James Anderson in 187 Tests the most by a pacer