ECB must recruit James Anderson to assist England's next generation, says Alastair Cook

With the sun setting on the 39-year-old's international career, the former skipper says his knowledge alone should make his transition to coaching a no-brainer

James Anderson has a "goldmine" of knowledge and can play a major part in helping develop the next generation of England fast bowlers, according to Alastair Cook.

The Lancashire seamer is entering the final throes of his stellar international career and reached 169 Tests, the second-most in history, in the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney.

Though yet to offer a timeline around his retirement plans, Anderson turns 40 next summer and has accepted this will be his last Ashes tour in Australia.

Former captain Cook spent the majority of his Test career, lasting 161 matches, alongside close friend Anderson and has some stark advice for the ECB for when he eventually chooses to hang up his bowling boots.

There has been some talk about Eoin Morgan being a future England coach, but both Moeen Ali and Sir Alastair Cook say otherwise.

So, out of the current crop of players, who do they see as joining the coaching setup in the near future? 🤔#Ashes #PinkTest pic.twitter.com/uv9vbQdl3F

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) January 6, 2022

"Someone like Jimmy Anderson, if I was involved with the ECB (I'd be) getting him," he said of Test cricket's most successful fast-bowler on BT Sport.

"It is obvious when he has played over 160 Tests and taken 600 wickets, but his knowledge of bowling: he is undoubtedly the most skilful seam bowler I ever played with or against. 

"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. 

"Having gone from a 90 mph swing bowler to a totally different bowler at the end of it, alongside injuries, alongside the change of actions that is a goldmine for the future of English cricket."

^{Having played 130 Tests together, few - perhaps only Stuart Broad - know Anderson's game better than Cook (Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)}

On his own coaching ambitions in the immediate future, Cook is less certain. Contracted to Essex until at least 2023, helping to run the family farm in Hocklife, Bedfordshire, and with a young family, the next step will have to wait.

"I love the idea of it, of trying to help people out," he added. "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."

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