Jimmy Anderson Reflects on Career Transition, From Shocked Cricketer to Coaching Role with England

Jimmy Anderson commented on forced retirement, saying:

As I walk towards them, it hits me cold. This isn’t a team appraisal, is it? I feel like Joe Pesci in Goodfellas, ushered into a room under the impression that I’m going to get made, only to be shot. 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.

His return to England as the bowling coach helped him to adjust to life after his playing career. He mentioned, if it had been completely cut out, he doesn’t think he would have coped well. Staying in the group helped him. He’s still a part of the dressing room, seeing his teammates and having an impact on test matches, but in a different role.

He finds it exciting to learn new things about himself while coaching. He finds it interesting to take on a different and see if he is any good at it. As a coach, he can now see that the decision benefited the team, as it allowed more opportunities for bowlers to perform well.