James Anderson stands tall as one of cricket’s greatest icons. His excellence in Test cricket for England is unparalleled. At 41, he still heads England’s formidable pace battery in Tests. His impeccable fitness enables enduring, effective spells with the red ball. While most cricketers hang up their boots by late 30s, Anderson defies this norm.
Yet, a curious fact emerges. Several cricketers, having debuted post-Anderson, are now delving into cricket administration, coaching, and punditry. Here, we spotlight five such cricketers, all younger than Anderson, already charting their second innings in international cricket.
James Anderson: The Ageless Cricketing Maestro Amid Young Coaches and Selectors
1. Luke Wright – The English Chief Selector
The English all-rounder, Luke Wright, donned the national jersey between 2007 to 2014. With 50 ODIs and 51 T20Is under his belt, Wright occasionally shared the field with Anderson. At 38, Wright has hung up his playing boots. Now, he shoulders the responsibility as England’s men’s team chief selector. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in selecting the Lions and Young Lions squads.
2. Daren Sammy – The Double T20 World Cup Winner turned Coach
Daren Sammy is a name etched in golden letters in West Indies cricket. His distinction? The sole captain to clinch the ICC T20 World Cup twice. Sammy’s illustrious career spanned 38 Tests, 126 ODIs, and 68 T20Is. After bidding adieu to international cricket in 2017, Sammy, now 39, took on coaching. Presently, he helms the West Indies side as the coach for ODIs and T20Is.
**3. Raees Ahmadzai – Steering Afghanistan Cricket’s Fortunes**
Raees Ahmadzai, once a mainstay in Afghanistan’s middle order, is now their assistant coach. Representing his nation in five ODIs and eight T20Is between 2009 and 2010, Ahmadzai transitioned to coaching. Now 38, he collaborates closely with head coach Jonathan Trott, another ex-teammate of Anderson, to chart Afghanistan’s cricketing ascent.
**4. Hamid Hassan – From Bowling Express to Coaching Young Guns**
Hamid Hassan, the fiery ex-Afghanistan pacer, has seamlessly transitioned into coaching. His career featured 38 ODIs and 25 T20Is, with his swansong at the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Hassan, just 36 now, is moulding future Afghan pacers as their national bowling coach.
**5. George Bailey – From Captain to Selector**
George Bailey, once Australia’s captain and now a selector, has had an interesting career trajectory. A unique feather in his cap, Bailey captained Australia in his debut T20I. His career encompassed five Tests, 90 ODIs, and 30 T20Is. Bailey, aged 40, has taken on the mantle as the Chairman of the Australian men’s cricket team selection committee post-retirement.
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Cricket, as a sport, offers avenues beyond playing. Coaching, administration, and commentary are vital cogs in the cricketing ecosystem. It’s inspiring to witness cricketers transitioning to these roles, leveraging their on-field experiences.
Yet, amidst these transitions, James Anderson’s enduring on-field prowess is an anomaly, a testament to his commitment. While his contemporaries embark on their second innings off the field, Anderson continues to let the red ball do the talking, and how!
