There were already rumors that James Anderson may bid farewell to Test cricket in the summer. The rumor came true. The owner of 700 Test wickets has announced his retirement. The first match against the West Indies in July will be the last Test of his career.

West Indies will tour England in July this year. There will be 3 matches in the series, starting with the Lord's Test. The 41-year-old cricketer will end his Test career at Lord's. Anderson said this in a status on Facebook.

At 41, Anderson has played Test cricket for over two decades to become one of the greatest bowlers the format has seen. He made his Test debut at Lord’s in 2003 and has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests.

He is third on the all-time list of wicket-takers in Tests behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Australia's Shane Warne.

In announcing his retirement, Anderson said, "Hi everyone. Just a little note. My last Test match at Lord's in the summer. It was a great 20 years playing for England. I have loved the game since childhood. I will miss playing for England very much.

"I’m going to miss walking out for England so much. But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling," Anderson wrote.

Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it’s always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn’t show it. See you at the Test," he wrote.

Anderson wants to spend time playing golf after retirement. He writes, 'I am excited for the challenge ahead. Want to play more golf after retirement. Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years. That's a lot for me. Although I have not always revealed them. See you in the test.

"To think he's been bowling for England for more than 20 years is utterly remarkable," Anderson's former captain Michael Vaughan said.

"To get over 700 Test wickets as a seam bowler, to get 500-600 as a spin bowler is incredible, but for Jimmy to do it day in day out and to put his body and mind through everything he's done over the past 20 years is utterly remarkable.

"He's England's greatest."

England host West Indies in a three-match ICC World Test Championship series in July, starting with the first Test at Lord's.