James Anderson Details Retirement in New Book

James Anderson, the record-breaking England pacer, has detailed the emotional turmoil he experienced during a meeting in Manchester where he was informed of his forced retirement from Test cricket. In his book, 'Finding the Edge', he likened the experience to a scene from the film 'Goodfellas', feeling as though he was being ambushed rather than engaged in a routine appraisal. Anderson described the moment as heart-sinking, realizing he was about to be told something he did not want to hear, a stark contrast to his previous experiences with management. He recounted a blunter encounter two years prior when he was dropped from the West Indies tour via a brief phone call. This time, he faced the decision conveyed by coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes, and managing director Rob Key, who expressed a focus on the future and indicated he would not be part of the upcoming Ashes series. Despite his disappointment, Anderson accepted the decision and has since transitioned into a coaching role for the England team.