Jimmy Anderson already in talks for career change as England’s greatest bowler announces retirement at 41
JIMMY ANDERSON is in talks to stay on as an England bowling coach when he retires from Test cricket.
Swing king Anderson revealed he will end his international career at an historic and emotion-filled Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July.
But he has already been speaking to captain Ben Stokes, head coach Brendon McCullum and team supremo Rob Key about helping England’s other quick bowlers.
Anderson explained: “We have chatted about it and the talks are ongoing. I’ll keep talking to Stokesy, Baz and Rob Key about what happens after that Test match.”
He worked as unofficial bowling coach in the Test series in India earlier this year and has been helping Lancashire’s bowlers in recent weeks.
Swing king Anderson will bring down the curtain as an international player after the opening Test of the summer against West Indies at the Home of Cricket.
Anderson, who will be 42 on July 30, believed he was fit enough and good enough to continue playing international cricket and even dreamed of reaching the 2025-26 Ashes.
But his hand was forced when McCullum told him that England would look at younger bowlers.
McCullum flew from his home in New Zealand to the UK last month to speak to Anderson face to face over a game of golf.
Anderson used a post on Instagram to confirm the Windies Test at the Home of Cricket will be his last.
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Anderson was due to be part of the BBC TV commentary team for the England women’s T20 match against Pakistan at Edgbaston yesterday but decided to pull out.
Instead, he recorded a special edition of the Tailenders podcast.
He said: “We have appraisals every six months and my future was something that has been talked about. I feel like I’ve talked about it for ten years with every coach asking, ‘How long are you going to play for?’
“Looking ahead, could a 43-year-old me make the Ashes in 18 months’ time and we sort of came to the decision that I probably couldn’t.
“There are 15 or so Tests before the Ashes so it gives them time to get other guys experience. We came to the decision that I’ll play one more Test.
“I’d rather go out still bowling well rather than in decline or with speeds slipping. You want people to remember you for the bowler you’ve been.
“I feel good about it. I’ve had an amazing career. Stuff about retirement has been hanging around for years now, ever since I turned 30 and grown since I turned 40. I just feel really lucky that I have managed still to be playing at a very high level.
“It’s nice that I will get one more Test at Lord’s where it started in 2003.”
The match at Lord’s will be Anderson’s 188th Test and he has taken 700 wickets. Both figures are unlikely ever to be beaten by an England cricketer.
If the game lasts five days, Anderson will bow out on the day of the final of football’s Euro 2024.
Anderson could have tried to hang on and bid farewell against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford – his home ground where there is a James Anderson End – in late August.
But it was unlikely he would be selected and such a shy man would not enjoy weeks of back-slapping and being the centre of attention.