"Did wonder about asking him some questions" - James Anderson recalls seeing career advisor in his daughter's school as retirement looms
Veteran England quick James Anderson has disclosed that he actually considered consulting a career advisor from his daughter's school as his retirement loomed. The Lancashire cricketer stated that it's an unsettling feeling to find something else after playing cricket for 20 years.
The 41-year-old will play his 188th and last Test when England face the West Indies in the opening match of the summer at Lord's, beginning on July 10. With the management willing to build a new team for the next Ashes series, the veteran has been urged to retire.
Speaking on The Tailenders' podcast, Anderson described his feeling when he went to his daughter's school the other day. He said:
"It's a weird feeling when you've done something for 20 years and then all of a sudden you've got to find something else to do. We went to see a school for my eldest daughter the other day. There was a careers adviser there and I did wonder about asking him some questions."
The Englishman hopes to do a bit of coaching and become an expert on tv and radio moving forward. He said:
"I honestly don't know what will happen next. I love talking about the game. I love talking about bowling and delving into the technical side of it. I've done a bit of punditry on TV and on the radio, so I will maybe balance that and a bit of coaching."
The 41-year-old may possibly have an eye on the milestone that will propel him to become the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests. With 700 scalps, Anderson will look to overtake the late Shane Warne, who has 708.
"He probably had the biggest influence on me" - James Anderson on Nasser Hussain
Looking back at the start of his career, Anderson credited Nasser Hussain for helping him be the player he became, by laying out instructions clearly. He explained:
"Nasser was quite intense as a captain and a lot of people didn't like the way he went about things. But for me, as a 20-year-old, I needed that firmness and instruction. He would really tell you what was demanded of you. He probably had the biggest influence on me, just because of the stage of my career I was at when I played under him."
England have dominated West Indies on their home soil and should fancy a series victory.