Anderson, Broad could be player-coaches under new ECB plans

England legendary pacers Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad could finish their Test careers in player-coach roles under plans to thin England’s backroom staff.

A temporary bowling coach from the county game is being sought to help prepare for England’s next series here in Pakistan — a pre-tour training camp will be held in Abu Dhabi in November.

However, as per Daily Mail, coach "Brendon McCullum’s preference in the longer term is to use the expertise of the team’s veteran seamers rather than permanently replace the outgoing Jon Lewis."

McCullum is eyeing to streamline support staff within the Test environment. With Lewis returning to work within the ECB’s pathway system, it would mean a duo who have shared 997 Test wickets when playing together grooming their successors.

The idea could be trialed on the two-Test tour of New Zealand in February, which sits outside of international cricket’s Future Tours Programme.

The publication added that without World Test Championship points on the line, the selectors might be more inclined to rotate Anderson, 40, and Broad, 36, leaving the one sat out to help oversee the net practice.

The duo have drawn praise from McCullum and captain Ben Stokes for the way they have passed on their knowledge in the dressing room and on his return to the fold last month, Ollie Robinson paid tribute to their tactical input.