James Anderson's stellar cricketing career could be over after Lancashire decided not to renew his contract. England's highest Test wicket-taker and the most prolific fast bowler in the history of the game took 704 wickets in 188 matches before his final appearance against the West Indies in 2024.
The 44-year-old had a strong season captaining his county in 2026, taking 50 wickets at an average of 17 amid Lancashire's struggles in Division Two of the County Championship. However, the Red Rose county have opted against offering him a new deal for the 2027 season.
Across his career, Anderson has taken 1,193 first-class wickets at 24. Not only that, he claimed 358 dismissals in ODI cricket and 71 in T20s. Anderson continued to play for Lancashire when England moved on from him in July 2024, and last year he took the captaincy of his boyhood club, where he has an end named after him at Old Trafford.
Lancashire finished second bottom of Division Two when they were strong favourites for promotion. The club has recently appointed Richard Kenyon as chief executive and Paul Farbrace as director of cricket to lead the rebuild, and Anderson is not part of their plan. As first reported by The Times, Anderson is set to end a long association with Lancashire that began 25 years ago, leaving his future up in the air.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing