Jimmy Anderson defiantly declares he is bowling as well as ever ahead of his final Test but England legend jokes it will be hard to 'stop myself crying'

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Jimmy Anderson says he will do everything he can to avoid bursting into tears during his final Test - and has insisted he is 'still bowling as well as ever' as he tries to come to terms with England's decision to end his long and decorated career.

Anderson, who will win his 188th and final cap against West Indies on Wednesday, was told by managing director Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes that his days were numbered because they didn't think he would be around for the 2025-26 Ashes.

Asked if he agreed with the decision, he replied: 'It's hard to say. I'll be 43 by then. I've always thought that age is just a number. I don't feel 41. I still feel as fit as I ever have, like I'm bowling as well as I ever have. My record has got much better since turning 35.

'I still think I could do a job, but I understand that it has to end at some point. The fact that it's now is just something I've got to deal with and accept. It's important we go to that Ashes series with guys who have got experience. With Broady finishing last year and myself now, we need as much Test cricket into those guys as possible.'

Anderson said he was unlikely to play any more for Lancashire this season, having signed off with seven for 35 against Nottinghamshire at Southport last week - the second-best figures of his 23-year first-class career. He and the club will make a decision about next season once he has emerged from the emotional cauldron of Lord's.

Jimmy Anderson's England career will end after this month's first Test against the West Indies

The 41-year-old legendary seam bowler will bid farewell to international cricket at Lord's

'The big thing for me this week is wanting to play well, bowl well and get a win,' he said. 'I'm sure the emotions will change, but right now that's what I'm trying to focus on to stop myself crying.'

Anderson was told his career was over after being summoned by 'the three big dogs' to a meeting at a hotel in Manchester at the start of the summer - suspecting it could mean only one thing.

'I didn't think it was just a normal appraisal,' he said. 'I think they were surprised at how calm I was when I reacted. I was probably surprised at my reaction. I wasn't overly emotional or angry or anything.

'I appreciated them taking the time out to lay it out for me. Since then, I've come to terms with it and made peace with that decision. A lot of people have stopped me in the street saying they're coming to the game. I'm just looking forward to one more game.'

Anderson, who needs nine wickets to overtake Shane Warne's haul of 708 and become the second-highest wicket-taker in Test history, said he felt most proud about 'the fact that I'll be playing my 188th Test just short of 42 years old'.

Lancashire-born Anderson was pictured signing bats in the Lord's Long Room this week

Anderson is anticipating that his final Test match for England will be an emotional experience

He added: 'The fact that I've been able to play this long, and tried to push myself to being the best I possibly can be. That's all I've ever done.'

Meanwhile, England will hand a Test debut to Surrey quick Gus Atkinson, who has forced himself into the side ahead of Durham's Matthew Potts.

England team to face West Indies, starting on Wednesday: Crawley, Duckett, Pope, Root, Brook, Stokes (capt), Smith (wkt), Woakes, Atkinson, Bashir, Anderson.