England’s legendary speedster James Anderson retired from international cricket last year, but he still hasn’t fully come to terms with being done with the game. Anderson was forced to bid farewell after the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July, following a conversation with England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, who informed him it was time to move on.
Now the third-highest wicket-taker in Test history — with 704 wickets in 188 matches — Anderson opened up about his retirement in a column for The Times, revealing that the decision wasn’t entirely his own.
“I retired from international cricket last year, but not entirely willingly,” Anderson wrote. “I had a meeting with the captain, coach and director of the England cricket team in April, and they said they wanted to move in a different direction, and bring in some younger guys ahead of the Ashes.”
Anderson added that while he was kept on in a mentor role, he still had a strong desire to keep playing competitive cricket.
“They kept me on in a team coach/mentor capacity, but I felt I still had an itch to scratch, and more cricket to play while my body was still able to. So I spoke to Lancashire and they got me on board,” he further wrote.
The veteran fast bowler also shared how he had been eagerly anticipating another Ashes series, believing he still had a lot to offer.
“I’ll be honest, retirement was not in my head. I was still bowling as well as I ever had, and my body was in good shape. I was looking forward to the Ashes. All sport needs young people coming onto the scene, but you have to balance that with age and experience. It’s difficult. I’d been told that as long as I was good enough to warrant a place in the team, and fit enough, they’d keep picking me… but then they changed their mind.”
Despite the decision, Anderson remained composed and understanding, though he admitted that his wife took it harder.
“I did see their point. I wasn’t angry, though my wife was; probably still is. But then she’s always been my biggest supporter, my biggest help throughout my career. I did see their point.”
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