Anderson will retire after the first Test of the 2024 summer on July 10 after playing 188 matches, the second-most in history. The 41-year-old pacer had a face-to-face conversation with head coach Brendon McCullum, who flew from New Zealand to meet Anderson in the United Kingdom to discuss his future. Anderson later confirmed that he was unlikely to make the next Ashes in 18 months and that allowing youngsters to play the next 15 Tests to prepare for the series prompted his decision to retire.

Key admitted that Anderson was not expecting the conversation but it was a chat they needed to have. Speaking on BBC he said: “When we made the decision and thought we needed to meet Jimmy to discuss the future, Brendon came to the conclusion that the right thing to do was to fly over to England.

“We had a conversation for about an hour and a half, which Baz [McCullum] led. I don’t think Jimmy was expecting it, but I don’t think it was completely unexpected,” he said. “We felt it was right that Jimmy and the public had the opportunity to say goodbye. We didn’t impress upon him that he needed to make the decision there and then. Not so long ago he decided the Lord’s game would be his last.”

"Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, it's always meant a lot, even if my face often doesn't show it"

James Anderson's final Test match will be against the West Indies at Lords from July 10-14. pic.twitter.com/XsW8P7qB9U

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) May 11, 2024

Key added that the decision was discussed with Anderson because it was time for England to “move on” and look towards the future. “Yeah. We said that it’s time to move on. It’s coming to the stage where we’ve got to look towards the future. We had two years since we started the job. It’s not just about the Ashes.

“People need the opportunity to learn how to bowl with that new ball. To go through a day’s Test cricket then realise they have to back it up the next day. Now is the time people have to start learning that.

“I feel this is the right decision, this is the right time. Hopefully he gets a fantastic end at Lord’s. Then, like all things, life moves on and English cricket is going to have to do without Jimmy Anderson. That time was always coming at some point and now we feel is the right time.”

Key was also optimistic about young England bowlers who could step in and get an opportunity to make a mark this summer, especially singling out Olly Stone, Sam Cook and Dillon Pennington. It is a view that contrasts Stuart Broad’s concerns over the future of the bowling attack in the absence of Anderson.