Jimmy's Got Sights Set On Coach's Role

Chris Stocks reveals how England’s record breaker has been looking to the future

- Chris Stocks

James Anderson is still going strong at the age of 35 after becoming the latest member of Test cricket’s exclusive 500wicket club. But the leader of England’s attack has admitted he would love to go into coaching when he does finally call time on his career.

When news emerged earlier this summer that Ottis Gibson was going to leave his post as England’s fast-bowling coach to take over South Africa, Anderson’s name came into the frame as a potential replacement as a player coach.

It soon became clear that was the result of a flippant remark the Lancastrian had made in the dressing room during the Old Trafford Test against South Africa.

“My hat’s never been in the ring,” admitted Anderson, who this week returned to the top of the Test bowling rankings after his career-best haul at Lord’s. “It was a tongue-in-cheek remark. I see part of my role as a senior bowler in the side as helping other guys out – it was a throw away comment. It wasn’t serious.”