"A man of longevity, skill and grit" - Fans pay tribute to James Anderson at the end of illustrious international career

Champion pacer James Anderson bid farewell to international cricket after England defeated the West Indies in the first Test by an innings and 114 runs at Lord's on July 12. The 41-year-old played a massive role in the side's victory even in his final outing, with incredible figures of 3/32 in the second innings.

Anderson finished with four wickets overall in the Test match, taking his final tally to 704 in the red-ball format. The veteran pacer finishes behind only the spin duo- Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan in the all-time wicket-taking charts in Test history.

Anderson also picked up an extraordinary 32 five-wicket hauls in a career spanning over two decades. He had a chance to finish his career in style with the final wicket but dropped a return catch off his bowling.

Nevertheless, the England pacer walked off the field to a richly deserved standing ovation from the crowd and his fellow players.

Fans on Twitter also joined in on the Anderson tribute party with the following reactions:

Fans continued to pour in their tributes to Anderson with one saying:

"Cheers for everything, Jimmy Anderson, holder of a collection of records that I don't think will ever be beaten. Just a bugger he put that caught and bowled chance down, though."

"He's done.Happy Retirement Jimmy Anderson! A man of longevity, skill and grit. Best of wishes!" a fan said.

"James Anderson, what a man what a player. 21 years of greatness on the biggest stage. Success and longevity, gone where no fast bowler has gone before," tweeted a fan.

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"You've bowled the fans over with that incredible 22-year spell" - Sachin Tendulkar on James Anderson

Legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar also took to Twitter to pay tribute to the retiring James Anderson after the first England-West Indies Test at Lord's.

Incidentally, the duo have played the most Test matches in cricket history, with Tendulkar featuring in 200 Tests and Anderson in 188.

Tendulkar wrote on his Twitter handle:

"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 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."

James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar were engaged in some of the most enthralling duels in Test cricket during the 2000s and early 2010s. However, the English pacer finished with the upper hand, bagging the Indian great nine times, with Tendulkar averaging only 23.10.