‘It’s a good time’ – Anderson on retirement
The Ashes 2023: James Anderson describes his best wicket in a record-breaking career
England bowler James Anderson says he is “happy” after announcing he will retire this summer, adding that “it feels like a good time”.
The 41-year-old, England’s leading wicket-taker, will retire following the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s in July.
The decision comes after talks with coach Brendon McCullum, who wants to build a bowling attack for the future.
“I feel good about it,” said Anderson, who began his England career in 2002 and has taken the most wickets by any pace bowler in Test history.
“I have had an amazing career. Stuff around retirement has been hanging around for years.
“I feel really lucky I have managed to get to this age and still be playing at a very high level.”
Speaking on the BBC’s Tailenders podcast, Anderson discussed:
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The reasons behind the decision
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The possibility of remaining with England as a coach this summer and what comes next
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How he told his parents
Playing the next Ashes ‘felt like a stretch’
James Anderson’s first Test wicket for England v Zimbabwe
Anderson is third on the all-time list of wicket-takers in Tests behind spinners Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Australia’s Shane Warne, having taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests.
But the decision has been made as England look to build a team capable of winning back the Ashes in Australia in the 2025-26 winter.
“It was sort of just looking ahead and could a 43-year-old me make the Ashes in 18 months’ time and we sort of came to the decision that probably not,” Anderson said.
“From my point of view it feels like a stretch at this stage of my career and from their [England’s] point of view there are 15 or so Tests before the Ashes.
“It gives them time to give other guys Test matches and experiences before that.”
He added: “It feels like the right thing for me and the team going forward. It feels like a good time.”
Anderson on remaining with England as a coach
Anderson’s farewell Test will begin on 10 July at Lord’s.
He said he will play for Lancashire beforehand but has not decided if he will continue to play for his county later in the season.
He revealed he has held talks with McCullum and England captain Ben Stokes around remaining with the side in a coaching capacity.
“I feel excited about what the future might hold, whether that is potentially to stick around with the team this summer in a different sort of capacity. It would be nice,” Anderson said.
He also left the door open to continuing to play county cricket next season.
“I am not 100% set on what I am going to do next,” Anderson said.
“That will be a conversation down the line and see what they [Lancashire] want to do and if I have the desire and willingness as well.”
‘My mum was more emotional’
Anderson said he told members of his family about his retirement on Friday, after the news was first reported in the Guardian.
“I feel relieved it is out and people know and I don’t have to keep it a secret,” Anderson said.
“My dad was like ‘alright yep, cheers’. He probably had a suspicion.
“My mum was slightly more emotional.”
Richard Thompson, the chair of the England and Wales Cricket Board, has called for Anderson to be given a “send-off like no other” at Lord’s but Anderson said he has “not thought too much about” the finale.
“Nearer the time and around that Test different emotions will start rearing their head,” he said. “Right now I am happy with everything.
“I am glad I get to play cricket again. I am looking forward to playing for Lancashire, playing that first Test, having fun on the field and remembering why I started playing the game.
“I would like to end it as I started it, loving bowling, showing my skills and helping the team win.”
