\n On Friday, October 10 the English cricket icon will be heading to West Yorkshire for an unrivalled evening of never-before-heard stories, straight from inside the England dressing room.\n<\/p>\n
\n Ahead of the Bradford date – part of a tour that is already underway – sports reporter Harry Williams sat down with England\u2019s all-time leading Test wicket-taker for an exclusive, two-part interview.\n<\/p>\n
\n In the second instalment, Anderson opens up about a range of topics, including: Lancashire’s fierce rivalry with Yorkshire, missing international cricket, England’s Test with India, breaking records and more.\n<\/p>\n
\n WAR OF THE ROSES\n<\/p>\n
\n Yorkshire’s rivalry with Lancashire, known as the “Roses rivalry” or “War of the Roses”, goes way back, stemming from the 15th-century conflict for the English throne between the House of Lancaster (red rose) and the House of York (white rose).\n<\/p>\n
\n Of course, the rivalry continues today in a number of forms, but most prominently in sports like cricket and rugby league, and is characterised by strong regional pride.\n<\/p>\n
\n For Anderson, it was only ever going to be Lancashire. He was born in Burnley, went to primary and secondary school in Burnley, played for Burnley Cricket Club from a younger age, and then went on to represent Lancashire in his teen years.\n<\/p>\n
\n And ‘Jimmy’ still represents his county to this day at the age of 43.\n<\/p>\n
\n When asked about the historic rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire, Anderson was full of admiration for it.\n<\/p>\n
\n He spoke with warmth and honesty about what the fixture has meant to him throughout his career.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “I\u2019ve loved it.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019ve played with many Yorkshire players for England, and there\u2019s always been that little niggle in the dressing room.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cYou always want to beat Yorkshire – but Yorkshire really want to beat Lancashire. It\u2019s all about bragging rights, so to speak.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had some great battles over the years, and it\u2019s a game every player from both sides looks forward to.\n<\/p>\n
\n “It hasn\u2019t always been easy for me going to Headingley.\n<\/p>\n
\n “In the earlier stages of my career, I had a few moments standing in front of the Western Terrace – and let\u2019s just say, I got plenty of stick.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBut in recent times, it\u2019s been a much better experience for me.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Jimmy Anderson has long been a key figure in English domestic cricket – especially in the legendary Roses rivalry between Yorkshire and Lancashire (Image: Richard Sellers\/PA Wire) INTERNATIONAL DAYS\n<\/p>\n
\n After a record-breaking career spanning over two decades, Anderson officially called time on his international career in July 2024, bringing the curtain down on an extraordinary journey that saw him become England\u2019s all-time leading Test wicket-taker and one of the most accomplished fast bowlers in cricket history.\n<\/p>\n
\n Now, with the dust beginning to settle, ‘Jimmy’ has had time to reflect on life beyond the England set-up – and while there\u2019s still a part of him that misses the heat of international competition, he\u2019s found real fulfilment in his new chapter with Lancashire.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “There are definitely times when I miss it (international cricket).\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cWatching a bit of cricket this summer; seeing the battles unfold, how close the games get and how much the crowd gets into it – that\u2019s something I really do miss.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHowever, I do feel I\u2019ve come to terms with it now.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I\u2019ve really settled into life at Lancashire, and I\u2019m keen to help the team achieve some success over the next year or two.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cSo, to an extent, I do miss playing for England but I\u2019m really enjoying what I\u2019m doing at the moment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n That being said, Anderson believes he could still do a job for his country.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I\u2019m going to say yes,” the English icon said in response to whether he could still lead England’s bowling attack at Test level.\n<\/p>\n
\n “I wouldn\u2019t still be playing cricket if I didn\u2019t think I was bowling well enough.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cObviously, the coach (Brendon McCullum), captain (Ben Stokes) and Director of Cricket (Rob Key) for England have chosen to go in a different direction, and I\u2019ve made peace with that.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBut deep down, I know I could still do a job.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Jimmy Anderson signed off with an astonishing total of 704 Test wickets from international duty (Image: Steven Paston\/PA Wire) A SUMMER OF DRAMA\n<\/p>\n
\n It was an enthralling summer of action as England played out a gripping 2-2 draw with India in a fantastic Test series.\n<\/p>\n
\n In the final Test, England narrowly lost a hard-fought contest at Lord\u2019s, where India\u2019s resilience with the bat and disciplined bowling proved decisive.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, there were still positives to take from the match – particularly the performance of Ben Stokes with the ball.\n<\/p>\n
\n And it was the left-handed batsman who impressed Anderson the most on the bowling front.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: “Strangely, I thought Ben Stokes bowled out of his skin and was England\u2019s best bowler by a mile.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThat\u2019s a credit to him. He\u2019s always had the skills and ability to bowl match-winning spells, but over the last few years, he\u2019s become much more consistent.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cHe\u2019s really worked hard at his bowling, and for me, he was the standout against India.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\n Anderson added: \u201cIt\u2019s obviously great to see Jofra Archer back in the Test lineup as well. I think he\u2019ll be a key player for England in Australia (at the Ashes).\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cAs a bowling group, I think we\u2019re in a really good place right now.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIt was a real shame to see Chris Woakes pick up an injury in the last game, but I believe there\u2019s enough depth in the squad to be successful in Australia.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Ben Stokes impressed with ball in hand for England over the summer (Image: Richard Sellers\/PA Wire) RECORD BREAKER\n<\/p>\n
\n In 2015, \u2018Jimmy\u2019 Anderson etched his name even deeper into cricket history by becoming England\u2019s all-time leading wicket-taker in Test cricket, surpassing the legendary Sir Ian Botham.\n<\/p>\n
\n The 43-year-old fast bowler, already the most successful seamer in Test history globally, continues to defy age and expectations.\n<\/p>\n
\n Despite the historic milestone, Anderson was characteristically modest when reflecting on his achievements, choosing instead to highlight the team moments that have defined his career.\n<\/p>\n
\n He said: \u201cIt\u2019s strange, because I don\u2019t really think about personal milestones when I look back at my career.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cMy favourite memories are the ones where we\u2019ve won Test series \u2014 winning the Ashes in 2010\/11 is a standout, for example.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cGetting to number one in the world shortly after that Ashes win is another moment that really sticks with me.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cThose are the things that stay in your mind when you reflect on your career as a player.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cI\u2019m really proud of what I\u2019ve achieved \u2014 taking the wickets I have and playing for as long as I have.”\n<\/p>\n
\n Jimmy Anderson (left) never failed to impress in high pressure moments (Image: Mike Egerton\/PA Wire) A FUTURE IN COACHING\n<\/p>\n
\n After retiring from international cricket in July 2024, Anderson briefly joined the national set-up\u2019s coaching staff to act as a fast-bowling mentor for the players.\n<\/p>\n
\n This, despite signing a one-year contract to play for Lancashire in the 2025 season.\n<\/p>\n
\n However, although he kept the doors open to further coaching opportunities, he prioritised playing for Lancashire for the 2025 season.\n<\/p>\n
\n In response to whether to a career in coaching is viable in the future, Anderson admitted: “I\u2019m not exactly sure what\u2019s going to happen over the winter, but I\u2019m definitely keen to progress my coaching.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf the opportunity comes up, I\u2019d like to work towards getting my coaching badges during the winter months.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cBeing around Lancashire this year, I\u2019ve tried to offer something from a coaching perspective, but I also know I need to develop my knowledge in that area.\n<\/p>\n
\n \u201cIf I can do that, then maybe coaching will be on the cards in the future.”\n<\/p>\n