James Anderson rattles England Cricket with horrifying allegations against Ben Stokes, Brendon McCullum

Former England pacer James Anderson opened up about his retirement from international cricket after a chat with coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. James Anderson said that he felt shocked when the team management informed him that they were moving on from him in Test cricket.

Anderson retired earlier this year after playing for England for 21 years in international cricket. He finished as one of the leading wicket-takers in Test cricket. Following his retirement, he joined the England Test team as a mentor. The veteran pace bowler also featured in 194 ODIs and 19 T20I matches.

The 42-year-old retired after the first Test against the West Indies on July 12. He had discussions with Brendon McCullum, who informed him that the team wanted to build for the Ashes in Australia later that year. Anderson, who took 704 wickets in 188 Tests, accepted the team's decision to move on.

I Don't Think I Was Angry - James Anderson

Speaking to The Guardian, James Anderson said he felt shocked but not angry when McCullum and Ben Stokes conveyed their plan. He admitted he would have continued playing as long as his body allowed but acknowledged that the team management wanted him to retire.

“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,” Anderson told The Guardian.

“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,” he added.

Don't Think I'd Have Coped Very Well - James Anderson

Anderson spoke about how returning to the England team as a bowling coach helped him adjust to life after his playing career. He admitted that if he had been completely removed from cricket, it would have been much harder to cope.

“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,” Anderson added.

I Find It Quite Exciting - James Anderson

James Anderson said that coaching has been a learning experience for him. He finds it exciting to take on a new role and assess his own abilities in it. Anderson believes that stepping into coaching has benefited the team, as it has created more opportunities for bowlers to come in and perform well.

“I find it quite exciting that I’m getting to learn a different job and finding out more about myself and whether I’m any good at it. So it’s been pretty interesting and, as a coach, I can now see that the decision actually benefited the team because there’ve been more opportunities for bowlers to come in and do well,” he revealed.

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