Rob Key confirms how James Anderson retirement decision was reached

GEORGE DOBELL: Anderson, the top wicket-taker in England's history, will retire from international cricket following the first Test of the summer, against West Indies at Lord's

George Dobell | 14/05/2024 at 09:12

Rob Key has admitted the England management team had decided it was time for the team to "move on" from James Anderson ahead of his retirement announcement.

Anderson, the top wicket-taker in England's Test history, will retire from Test cricket following the first Test of the summer, against West Indies at Lord's.

But Key, the managing director of England men's cricket, has now revealed the decision to 'move on' from Anderson was taken by the team management - a group which consists of Key, the team captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum - and that Anderson wasn't expecting it.

However, the timing of his departure was left to Anderson with Key expressing the hope the bowler receives "a fantastic end at Lord's".

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Team management sprung the decision on Anderson, Key has confirmed (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

"When we made the decision and thought we needed to meet Jimmy to discuss the future, Brendon came to the conclusion that the right thing to do was to fly over to England," Key told the BBC's Test Match Special County Cricket podcast.

"We had a conversation for about an hour and a half, which Baz led. I don't think Jimmy was expecting it, but I don't think it was completely unexpected. In the back of his mind, he knew the time was coming.

"We met Jimmy at a hotel near the station [in Manchester]. We discussed a lot of things; the future for Jimmy after playing.

"We said 'look, we think it's time for us to move on, that we have to start looking towards the future'. It's not just the Ashes.

"We felt it was right that Jimmy and the public had the opportunity to say goodbye. We didn't impress upon him that he needed to make the decision there and then. Then, not so long ago, he decided the Lord's game would be his last.

"Jofra needs to build up his robustness, so his body can do what is required to be a fast bowler"

"Like all things, life moves on. English cricket is going to have to do without Jimmy Anderson. This is the right decision and this is the right time. Hopefully, he gets a fantastic end at Lord's.

"Can you imagine what it's like to be known as probably the greatest bowler a country has ever had? Jimmy Anderson is comfortable with that.

"I look back with fond memories of what Jimmy has achieved. In the last two years, he's been outstanding. He's done everything in the game as far as Test cricket is concerned."

Central to the management unit's decision was the desire to provide opportunities to new bowlers. Anderson will be 43 by the time the next Ashes series starts and England are keen to tour Australia with a group of experienced younger bowlers.

"People need the opportunity to learn to bowl with the new ball, to go through a day's worth of Test cricket and realise they have to back it up the next day," Key, who was playing in the 2003 Test in which Anderson made his debut, continued. "Now is the time for people to start learning that.

"It leaves a hole in many ways. No one is more skilled with the new ball. He understands what is required at that level. Guys are going to have to go through the journey he has. They won't reach the heights he has; nobody will probably with the way the game is going. But it's an opportunity for someone else. There's opportunities for so many people now."

Key name-checked Olly Stone, who has made an impressive return from injury for Nottinghamshire in recent weeks, his team-mate Dillion Pennington, who he described as "excellent" and Essex's Sam Cook, who he described as "so skilful" among those who could replace Anderson. But he urged for patience over the return of Jofra Archer, suggesting it will be a few months before we see him in first-class action.

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Naturally, the name of Jofra Archer wasn't far away from Key's thoughts (Getty Images)

"Jofra needs to build up his robustness, so his body can do what is required to be a fast bowler," Key said. "Hopefully next year he can play some red-ball cricket. But he might bowl in an innings in a Sussex second XI game [this week].

Key's comments on Ollie Robinson seemed more ambivalent. Robinson managed only one Test in India, where his performance was compromised by a back injury. Having also struggled during the Ashes series at home and away as well as in the Caribbean, it seems there may be some hesitancy over recalling him.

"We have been pretty clear with Ollie," Key said. "At his best, he is a very good bowler. When he's not, down at 78 or 79mph, he goes back into the pack. Other guys can do what he does.

"Generally he is someone who bowls better the more he plays, but we don't live in a world where you get seven first-class games before a Test match. He has got to find ways to find rhythm quicker."

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