Anderson to continue in fast bowling coach role

James Anderson will continue his role as fast-bowling mentor in England’s series against Pakistan in October.

Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, retired from international cricket following the first Test against West Indies in July.

The 42-year-old immediately joined the England backroom team and remains on a central contract until the end of this month.

Working in the coaching staff for the three-Test series against Pakistan would extend Anderson’s relationship with the England side beyond his current deal.

Anderson also told Sky Sports he was planning on joining England for their series in New Zealand in December.

“At the minute, I’m due to go to Pakistan and New Zealand in the winter,” he said. “Then nothing concrete after that.

“I’m very new to this, I’m still learning as we go. It’s partly me trying to figure out if this is where I want to go with the next stage of my career and also for them to figure out if I’m any good at it.”

Anderson retired from Test cricket following discussions with England captain Ben Stokes, coach Brendon McCullum and managing director Rob Key in April, with the management deciding they wanted to look to younger fast bowlers.

In Anderson’s absence, Gus Atkinson has taken 33 wickets in his first five Tests, while Matthew Potts and Olly Stone have returned to the Test side.

In the third and final Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval, England have handed a debut to 20-year-old Josh Hull, a 6ft 7in left-armer from Leicestershire with only 16 wickets from 10 first-class matches.

Anderson worked with Hull during the second Test at Lord’s, when Hull was an unused member of the England squad.

“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 of that knowledge, you don’t want to lose that. He is able to pass it on.

“Jimmy is not always the most outgoing, but he has really taken to coaching.

“It would be great to have Jimmy in Pakistan, the same in New Zealand and who knows going forward. Jimmy has a few itches to scratch along the way but it is great to have him involved with us.”

Anderson has previously indicated an interest in continuing his playing career in T20 franchise leagues, despite not featuring in white-ball cricket since 2019.

 Anderson hinted at talks over a deal.

“There might be people behind the scenes chatting to people,” he said. “I have not played white-ball cricket for a while so that is the first thing I need to get back to if I am to think about doing it.

“I don’t know if there is any interest so I will just ask around.”

There is some doubt over the schedule for the series in Pakistan. The Tests are due to be played in Karachi, Multan and Rawalpindi, but some grounds are undergoing renovation works before the Champions Trophy next year.

One option could be to host part of the series outside of Pakistan, with Abu Dhabi a potential venue.

Key said England have had nothing confirmed and will find it difficult to pick a squad while there is doubt over the location of the Tests.

“I have heard Sri Lanka and South Africa,” he said. “I don’t think it will be there, personally. There are rumours flying around.

“My guess is we will end in Multan. None of this is a security issue. They are trying to get grounds ready for the Champions Trophy. My guess is we will be in Pakistan – but that is a guess.”

Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is also part of the coaching staff for the third Test against Sri Lanka, filling in for assistant coach Marcus Trescothick, who is taking charge of the white-ball team for the series against Australia beginning next week.

Though there are no confirmed plans for Flintoff’s continuing involvement with the England side, Key said “he will do more stuff with us in the winter”.

The 46-year-old has previously worked with England’s white-ball and Lions teams, the latter of which are due to tour South Africa and Australia.

“Freddie is loving coaching,” said Key. “Sometimes it is a trait that is not spoken about enough – he is kind. All of the things Fred can be: funny, extrovert. He is kind. It is an underrated quality.”