England national cricket team bowling legend James Anderson has provided an important update on his future with the English team months after his retirement from international cricket.
James Anderson had confirmed his retirement from international cricket in May 2024 and played his final Test match for England in July against the West Indies at Lord’s.
At the time, it was reported that Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum wanted to move on and groom new pacers with the upcoming Ashes series in mind, hence asking the pacer to step down.
Following his retirement, Anderson continued with the team for the remainder of the series against West Indies as a bowling mentor and is currently doing the same job in the ongoing Test series against Sri Lanka at home.
With England taking part in white-ball cricket after the conclusion of the Sri Lanka Test series and not taking part in Test cricket until October, there were question marks over James Anderson’s future with the team.
However, the fast bowling legend has now revealed that he will continue his role as coach/mentor when England tour Pakistan and New Zealand this winter.
“I am currently planning to travel to Pakistan and New Zealand in the winter” – James Anderson
Speaking to Sky Sports, Anderson also said he does not know what his future with England will be after the series against Pakistan and New Zealand as he is still trying to figure it out.
“Right now, I plan to travel to Pakistan and New Zealand in the winter,” he said. “After that, there is nothing concrete.”
“I’m very new to this, I’m still learning as I go. Part of it is me trying to figure out if this is the path I want to take in the next stage of my career, and part of it is them trying to figure out if I’m any good at this.”
Recently, James Anderson shared his knowledge with Josh Hull, a 20-year-old 1.90m tall left-arm spinner who made his debut in the third Test match against Sri Lanka. On this, ECB boss Rob Key said that James Anderson has adapted quite well to the coaching job and they are happy to have him involved.
“There was a great moment at Lord’s where you saw Josh Hull bowling in the middle and Jimmy standing at the top of his mark,” Key told Test Match Special. “You think how good this is, all that knowledge, you don’t want to lose it. He’s able to pass it on.
“Jimmy isn’t always the most outgoing, but he’s really dedicated himself to training. It would be great to have Jimmy in Pakistan, same in New Zealand and who knows in the future. Jimmy has some kinks to satisfy along the way, but it’s great to have him involved with us.”
Meanwhile, Anderson recently floated the idea of returning to franchise cricket despite his last T20 appearance coming in the 2014 NatWest Blast final for Lancashire. The 42-year-old claimed that he still has “something to offer” as a bowler and can play franchise cricket.
