James Anderson has issued a hugely emotional statement on social media following his release from Lancashire.

Anderson, 44, enjoyed a strong season with his boyhood county in 2026, taking an impressive 50 wickets in the County Championship at an average of 17 — a tally bettered by only six other bowlers in Division Two.

He captained Lancashire last season, but the Red Rose struggled, finishing second from bottom after winning just two games.

Even though Lancashire laboured on the pitch, Anderson, who had continued to play cricket after his England career ended in July 2024, had a stellar individual campaign and was named the county's Championship Player of the Year.

Lancashire Release James Anderson

Despite his form with the red ball, Lancashire opted against offering him a new deal for the 2027 season, meaning his legendary career could be over.

It brings an end to a legendary 25-year spell with the county, having played List A Cricket as a 17-year-old for Lancashire Cricket Board in 2000 before making his professional Lancashire debut the following year.

Lancashire's incoming director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, thanked Anderson for his services and spoke of plans to rebuild the men's team, revealing their goal of promotion from Division Two of the County Championship then winning the Division One title 'within the next three to four years'.

In a statement, he said: "Following a meeting with Jimmy and Richard Kenyon at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday 19 October, I spoke to Jimmy about our ambitions to rebuild our men’s squad that is capable of securing promotion from Division Two of the County Championship and then challenging to win Division One over the next three to four years.

"We are keen to begin that rebuild now, both in terms of the playing squad and the wider professional cricket set-up, and to make important progress over the coming months. As part of those plans, I informed Jimmy that we had taken the incredibly difficult decision not to extend his playing contract for the 2027 season."

James Anderson Breaks Silence on Lancashire Release

Anderson was informed by Lancashire last Monday that he would not be offered a new contract.

In his first comments since his release, England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker (704 wickets) expressed his sadness as he lamented the nature of his Lancashire exit.

On Instagram, Anderson shared an image of himself in his whites, accompanied with the caption: "I’ve supported Lancashire since I was kid, and so to get to play for them for 25 years was a dream come true.

"I have always found it special walking out to play at Old Trafford and have some incredible memories of doing so including the honour of being captain — if it was up to me it wouldn’t have ended like this, but I wish the players and fans all the best for the future."

He did not indicate whether he would look to continue his iconic playing career elsewhere, with BBC Sport stating other counties would be interested in signing the veteran bowler ahead of next year.