Anderson eyes player-coach job

JAMES ANDERSON would like to be considered for the position of England fast bowling coach if Ottis Gibson takes the No 1 job with South Africa. Although the 35-year-old (right) has no intention of retiring any time soon, and has targeted the 2019 Ashes as his international swansong, he has naturally allowed his thoughts to turn towards a post-playing career. And the timing of South Africa’s move for Gibson, as revealed by on Friday, opens up the possibility of Anderson taking a player-coach role for the Ashes tour which starts in October. The timeframe for finding a replacement would be relatively short and England director Andrew Strauss has shown he is not afraid to add current players to his coaching roster with the extension of Durham captain Paul Collingwood’s fielding coach role from 60 to 100 days a year. Although any move to give coaching duties to an active squad member would be a surprise, there are those within the dressing room who would view the 126-cap Test bowler’s upgrading from on-field mentor as a natural progression. Test captain Joe Root already makes a point of fielding Anderson at mid-off to impart knowledge picked up in a 484-wicket career.