Phil Tufnell
Former England spinner

It's a bit of an era, isn't it? Jimmy Anderson was a bit emotional there, bit of a swallow in the throat as his family rang the bell. England's finest.

Anthems are done, team huddles done, and Anderson leads England out to the field. He raises his cap to the Lord's crowd, before handing it over to the umpire for the first over.

West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and debutant Mikyle Louis follow.

Here we go!

Image source, Getty Images

Wholesome moment alert, as Jimmy Anderson's family ring the bell at Lord's for play to begin.

His two daughters, his wife and his parents are all there to take in the proud occasion. It's an emotional one, as both teams applaud, but there's nothing more than a wry smile from the man himself.

He'll have the ball in hand shortly and it'll be business as usual!

Sir Alastair Cook
Former England captain on Test Match Special

It's a very strange week. I didn't enjoy my last week, because I was so desperate to do something. I couldn't think of anything more embarrassing after everyone saying nice things about you to go out and score 0 and 2. Jimmy won't have that problem, he'll be amazing.

Manish Pandey
BBC Newsbeat reporter

Image source, Getty Images

We know about Jimmy Anderson on the field, but what about Jimmy the man?

Radio 1 presenter Greg James - one of Anderson’s close friends and fellow Tailenders podcaster - says Jimmy spoke to him about retirement a month in advance, and his “heart sank”.

“Instead of dwelling on how sad it is, we should celebrate the achievements,” Greg tells BBC Newsbeat.

“All these top level sports people have a switch that us mere mortals don't have, where they turn into competitive monsters when they're on the field.

“But in real life, he is very shy, kind, generous, funny. A very lovely man and a great friend,” he says.

Anderson is known for being occasionally grumpy when bowling.

“But that's quite endearing, it's part of his personality and a shyness that he has.

“So you feel very lucky if you get to know the real Jimmy Anderson,” Greg says.

Image source, Getty Images

Again, just putting Anderson a side for one moment, there's plenty for West Indies to play for this summer. They haven't played a Test since January, their team has faced plenty of turbulence with players prioritising the T20 franchise circuit and there are a few new faces around in a relatively inexperienced side.

But, the last Test they played is one that will live long in the memories of those playing and watching as they beat Australia - at The Gabba, no less - with fast bowler Shamar Joseph taking 7-68.

I'm looking forward to seeing him with ball in hand in English conditions, forming an exciting partnership with his namesake Alzarri in the absence of experienced seamer Kemar Roach through injury.

The batting line-up is less threatening, but captain Kraigg Brathwaite says they are relishing the challenge and will take plenty of confidence from the Australia victory.

Hear from Brathwaite and Ben Stokes in the Test Match Special podcast previewing the series here.

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Anderson aside for one moment, there are quite a few other talking points to unpack from this Test squad, believe it or not.

Ben Stokes has spoken openly about changes that have been made with next winter's Ashes in mind, including Anderson's tap on the shoulder.

Surrey's Jamie Smith is keeping wicket in place of either Ben Foakes or Jonny Bairstow, Shoaib Bashir keeps his place after the India tour at the expense of Jack Leach, fast bowler Gus Atkinson makes his debut while fellow seamers Matthew Potts and Dillon Pennington are in the wider squad.

“We had to make some decisions around what we think is best for the team going into that Ashes series,” Stokes told BBC Sport.

“We want to go out there and we want to get that urn back.”

Read more from Stokes on Anderson, selection and the future here.

West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite: "We would have bowled too but we've got a job to do with the bat now, we'll focus on that.

"Mikyle Louis is a very cool guy, he's very calm and is so excited for this today. I have no doubt he will do well.

"Batting first at Lord's, what an occasion. We've got to enjoy it, that's what I'm telling the boys, and we've got to believe to achieve.

"It's difficult to start here but just trust your eyes, trust your technique and think big. You're playing at Lord's.

"We can take a lot from that Australia game but it's gone, it's history. We've got to make new history today."

England captain Ben Stokes: "Gus and Jamie coming for debuts is always an exciting thing. They've got a very high ceiling, very talented.

"We're always looking to progress as a team. It's been a while since the India tour and there's been a chance to sit back

"We can expect from Jimmy complete heart, desire to win games for England. He's a consummate professional. That first ball that's bowled today, the crowd will be right up."

Under cloudy skies at Lord's, that feels like a very good toss to win.

England - and James Anderson - are going to be bowling first.

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The toss will come shortly, so while we wait let's take a look at the two teams for this Test. England are handing debuts to Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson, while all-rounder Jason Holder returns for the West Indies.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, James Anderson.

West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (c), Mikyle Louis, Kirk McKenzie, Alick Athanaze, Kavem Hodge, Jason Holder, Joshua da Silva (wk), Gudakesh Motie, Alzarri Joseph, Shamar Joseph, Jayden Seales.

As always, there is Test Match Special radio coverage of this match throughout, and you can listen at the top of this page or via BBC Sounds.

Jonathan Agnew and the team are on air now.

And if you're looking to listen to TMS coverage overseas, click here: BBC Test Match Special Audio - England v West Indies - 1st Test Match, Day 1 - Lord's, external.

The early days at Burnley, the injuries, the favourite wickets, what to expect next?

You can hear about the whole journey in Anderson's own words in his in-depth interview with Tailenders' Mattchin.

Listen to the full Tailenders special episode on BBC Sounds.

Right, welcome to the start of the Test summer!

It feels a little odd to be saying that in July, doesn't it? Especially as the weather isn't exactly making it feel like summer at the moment.

It's the first of three Tests against West Indies this month, starting at Lord's, and whether the man himself likes it or not, it's the Jimmy Anderson Test.

21 years, 187 Tests and just the mere 700 wickets later, it's time to wave farewell to one of the greatest the game has ever seen.

Don't cry because it's over.

Smile because it happened.

It's time for the last dance.

Image source, Getty Images