"I think so" - James Anderson says his wife is still angry with the management for asking him to retire ahead of ENG vs WI 2024 Test series
Retired England cricketer James Anderson has revealed that his wife is likely still angry about the way he was ousted from the side. The 42-year-old disclosed that she believed her husband has the right to retire on his terms and must be playing for England.
Coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director Robert Key had asked Anderson to retire as they wanted to look to the future prospects to build for Ashes 2025/26. The Lancashire seamer played his 188th and final Test against the West Indies in July 2024 at Lord's, finishing with a staggering 704 wickets.
Speaking to The Guardian, Anderson said his wife has been his biggest supporter and has him going every time he feels down. The veteran revealed that anger was not on his part, but he admitted to be shocked. He said:
"I think so, yes. She’s been my biggest supporter from when we first met. I had injuries and she was the one who motivated me to get going again. She just felt it wasn’t the right way to have done things. She felt I should go on my own terms.
"But I think it’s easing now. 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."
The record-breaking bowler further said he is thankful to the England management for urging him to stick around to help the youngsters, stating:
"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."
The 188-Test veteran has been serving as England's fast-bowling mentor since the second Test of the three-match series against the West Indies. He served in the role during the subsequent series against Sri Lanka, followed by the tour of Pakistan.
"Didn’t expect it to kick up this much of a fuss" - James Anderson on registering for IPL auction
With Anderson registering himself for the upcoming IPL auction, the Englishman stated that he is quite keen to play in the tournament. He said:
"The feedback on social media has been amazing. I didn’t expect it to kick up this much of a fuss. But I really want to experience it because everyone says it’s an amazing tournament."
The IPL auction will take place on November 24 and 25 in Riyadh.