Ashes 2021-22: Alastair Cook Reveals His Choice For Next England Bowling Coach

Former England skipper Alastair Cook has revealed his choice on whom he thinks can become the next England bowling coach. Cook has suggested the name of his ex-teammate James Anderson to take up the coaching role as the side is looking to overhaul its coaching staff. Aging 39, the veteran England pacer has taken 39 wickets in 2021 and is nearing the end of his Test career.

James Anderson missed the first Test in Brisbane and has taken seven wickets so far in the series. Overall, he is England’s highest wicket-taker in red-ball cricket with 639 wickets from 168 Test matches. Cook claimed that Anderson is the most skillful seam bowler and apt for the role.

Most Skillful Seam Bowler: Alastair Cook Hails James Anderson

“It is obvious when he has played over 160 Tests and taken 600 wickets, but his knowledge of bowling: he is undoubtedly the most skillful seam bowler I ever played with or against,” Cook told mirror.co.uk on Saturday.

“Someone like Jimmy Anderson, if I was involved with the ECB (I’d be) getting him. That knowledge of how to get that ball to talk, to move on flat wickets, the swinging ball, you can’t buy any of that. That is gold sat there.

“Would Jimmy Anderson be a bowling coach? I couldn’t see him going away on tour but him working with the up and coming players is an obvious thing for me because of his knowledge,” he further said on Anderson.

The former England skipper also revealed that he is not shying away from taking up a coaching role in the future but it will not be a full-time role.

“I love the idea of it, of trying to help people out. If I can help an Essex young batsman out, give them a bit of time. The thing about coaching, to be good you’ve got to have so much time. With other stuff in my life, the farm and a young family, I can’t see myself being a full-time coach.

“To be any good at anything you’ve got to be fully immersed in it and I can’t see myself at this time in my life doing it. In 10-15 years’ time who knows? But the thought of helping the next generation is very appealing.”

Meanwhile, England find themselves chasing 358 runs on the final day of the Sydney Test match. No more than 288 runs have been ever chased down in the fourth innings at this venue. It was achieved by Ricky Ponting’s men against South Africa in 2006.

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