Arguably the greatest pacer to grace the cricket field, Jimmy Anderson still aspires to take part in the sport, despite being forced into retirement earlier this year. The former England pacer’s hunger is evident as he registered his name for the IPL 2025 auction, taking place later this month. He still wants to grow his knowledge of T20s, having last played in the format back in 2014.
Since making his Test debut in 2003, Anderson was a poetry in motion with a red cherry on his hand. He weaved magic with his deliveries and left the viewers spellbound with his skills and longevity. Such has been the fitness of the 42-year-old, as he still wants to run hard yards of featuring in a high-profile Ashes game and contributing for the national team.
The prolific pacer last appeared for England in Whites in July 2024 against West Indies, where he claimed four wickets. He finished his Test career as the most successful pacer with 704 wickets in 188 games. The duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes felt that they needed to ready a young pacer, who will be vital for them in the Ashes next year.
However, they still wanted Jimmy Anderson to be around the bowling group and mentor them. He will continue his involvement as a consultant coach for the team’s tour to New Zealand. But in the back of his mind, Anderson still feels that urge to don England jersey and continue to play for the side.
“I don’t think I was angry. I was just shocked. But, to be honest, I would have carried on for as long as my body let me. Maybe I needed that nudge to say now’s a good time to finish,” Anderson was quoted as saying by The Guardian.
When Stokes and McCullum came into him with a coaching offer, he was less than interested while still recovering from a major blow of not ending his test career on his own terms. Nevertheless, the former pacer was compelled to take on the role, as he would be able to share the dressing room and have an impact on the test matches, albeit in a different way.
“No. If it had been completely cut out of my life I don’t think I’d have coped very well. The fact that they wanted me to stay in the group helped me. I’m still having the dressing-room environment, still seeing my mates every day, still having an impact on Test matches, but obviously in a very different way.”
Jimmy Anderson is still learning everyday about his new job and is evaluating whether he is a right fit for it or not. He feels it will take some time to settle down on the role and will look for balance in life while deciding his future move.
“I’m definitely excited but it is taking a bit of adjusting,” he says. “I’m trying to figure out which direction I want to go while getting the right balance in my life as I think about all that’s happened and what might happen next.”
Jimmy Anderson shares his take on Bazball approach
The term Bazball was coined owing to England’s style of cricket since the induction of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes as a coach and captain, respectively in 2022. Interestingly, ‘Baz’ is the nickname of McCullum, who was known for his attacking mindset during his playing days.
Certainly, McCullum has inculcated the same mindset in the current crop of England players, who are capable to force results in their favor by the same approach.
Jimmy Anderson, who has been part of the setup since the last two years put forth his opinion on the approach used by the England team. As per Anderson’s comments, he looks to be a proponent of Bazball style and wants the side to return to their purest attacking form possible.
Anderson mentioned England becoming the first team in test cricket history to score 500 runs in a single day during their 2022 tour to Pakistan.
“I think so, yes. It can be difficult in Pakistan to play in that positive, aggressive way. But the last time we went to Pakistan [in 2022] we scored 500 in a day, so there’s definitely scope for us to try and get back there.”
