Jimmy Anderson could continue as a bowling coach with England after bowing out at Lord’s this summer.
Anderson announced on Saturday that he will retire from playing after the first Test of the summer against West Indies, which takes place from July 10 to 14. That will be the 188th Test of an extraordinary 21-year career for England which has seen him make history as the only fast bowler to reach 700 wickets.
The 41-year-old had previously stated his desire to continue playing for as long as possible, with one eye on the Ashes in November 2025 in Australia. But England coach Brendon McCullum took that decision out of his hands after flying over to hold face-to-face talks with Anderson on the golf course in April.
“Baz came over from New Zealand,” Anderson explained on the Tailenders podcast. “We obviously have appraisals every six months. My future is obviously something that’s been chatted about – I feel like I’ve been talking about it for 10 years, with every coach I’ve had, like ‘How long are you going to play for?’
“It was sort of about looking ahead – could a 43-year-old me make the Ashes in 18 months time? And we sort of came to the decision that probably not. From my point of view it feels like a stretch at this point of my career and from their point of view there are 15 Test matches before the Ashes, so it gives them time to give other guys Test matches and experience before that Ashes series.”
Unlike most teams, McCullum has not employed a full-time bowling coach since taking over with England, having been able to rely upon Anderson and Stuart Broad to guide the younger bowlers. And Anderson revealed that after amicable talks with McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and director of cricket Rob Key, he could move into a coaching role.
“I feel excited about what the future might hold,” he said. “Whether that’s to stick around with the team this summer in a different sort of capacity would be nice potentially. I feel good. We’ve chatted about it, but the chats are ongoing, so that’s something I’ll keep talking to Stokesy and Baz and Rob Key about what happens after that Test match.”
As well as the Tailenders podcast, Anderson has done plenty of other media work with the BBC over the past few years and that could offer an avenue post-retirement. But the love of cricket – and of bowling in particular – still burns bright and he joked that, if he does go into coaching, he will need to learn how to use the dog stick ball-thrower.
“I feel excited about what might be next. I think that’s probably the biggest feeling I’ve had, but excited about this summer as well,” he added. “So I’ll play for Lancashire before that first Test. I’ve been at Trent Bridge this week with the lads bowling, trying to make sure that I’m fit enough to play. I guess nearer the time, around that Test match, different emotions will start rearing their head, but right now I feel happy with everything.”
Asked about playing next summer for Lancashire he replied: “It is all part of the thought process. I’m not 100 per cent set on what I’m going to do next. That will be a conversation further down the line with Lancashire to see what they want to do and see if I’ve actually got the desire and willingness to do that.”