Joe McConnell
James Anderson is mulling an unexpected return to white-ball cricket after his retirement from England and is considering a farewell tour of the franchise circuit.
Anderson, the most prolific fast bowler in Test history, bowed out of international cricket in an emotional scene at Lord’s last month and his immediate move to coaching appeared to signal the end of his playing career.
But the 42-year-old has never officially announced that he has bowled his last ball and is now considering trying his luck for a contract in the T20 league or even in next season’s Hundred competition.
That would be a dramatic turn of events for a man who has spent most of the last decade as a red-ball specialist and last played a 20-over game in 2014, but it also suggests that Anderson has unfinished business on the field.
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Former teammates and family pay tribute to England’s greatest ever bowler, James Anderson, following his retirement from Test cricket
“I might be in a bit of denial because I’m well aware that I won’t be playing for England again, but I haven’t made up my mind about my actual cricket career yet,” he said. PA Press Agency.
“There’s definitely some intrigue with the shorter formats because I’ve never played any franchises before. Watching the Hundred this year, seeing the ball rolling, makes me feel like I could do a job there.
“Once this summer is over, I can sit down and think seriously about whether I want to play cricket again in some capacity next year. At the moment I’m quite open to any kind of cricket, I’m still fit enough to play and I’m not ruling myself out of anything.
“It’s hard to know if there’s going to be interest from people wanting me to play that kind of thing, so we’ll wait and see. I know I haven’t played it for a while and my age will come up again, but I really feel like I’m going to be good enough to play that kind of cricket.”
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Tim Southee takes five wickets in 20 balls for Birmingham Phoenix against Trent Rocket in The Hundred
Anderson was speaking as part of a campaign by the England and Wales Cricket Board to encourage participation in the sport and it appears the only thing that might stop him prolonging his playing career is the allure of his latest backroom role.
His current mentorship is indefinite, but captain Ben Stokes has already floated the idea of Anderson lending his expertise to the Australian tour next winter.
“My love for Test cricket will always be there and the Ashes is the biggest thing you can be involved in as an England player. If you’re not playing, the best thing is to try to help the team from the sidelines,” he said.
“There’s still a long way to go and I’ve yet to see if this is what I’m passionate about. Stokesy and England have to decide if I’m the right man for the job. So far, so good, but you never know.”
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James Anderson discusses his new role in the England coaching set-up after retiring from international cricket this summer
Whatever his next move, Anderson’s love for the sport remains unwavering. At a time when the ECB has publicly pledged to become the most inclusive team sport in the country, the Burnley world champion is a compelling advocate.
“I was lucky to get into cricket because there wasn’t an obvious path for me at school. It’s had such a huge impact on my life and who I am and I wish as many kids as possible had that opportunity,” he said.
“I’ve been in so many dressing rooms, met so many people from so many different backgrounds and made so many friends. The England team at the moment is trying to be a role model for the next generation through the way we’ve played and I know that will continue to do so.”
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