Lancashire Cricket have confirmrd that, following a remarkable 25-year association with the Red Rose, Sir James Anderson’s playing career with the Club will come to an end at the conclusion of his current contract.

However in a telling statement the 44 year old said that it was up to him “it wouldn’t have ended like this.”

A homegrown talent from Burnley, Anderson made his Lancashire debut in 2001 and went on to establish himself as one of the most celebrated fast bowlers in the history of the game. His outstanding achievements for club and country have cemented his place among cricket’s all-time greats, while his longstanding association with Lancashire has made him one of the most significant figures in the Club’s history.

Across an illustrious international career with England, Anderson claimed 704 wickets in 188 Test matches, making him the leading wicket-taker in the history of English Test cricket. He also took 269 wickets in 194 One-Day Internationals and 18 wickets in 19 T20 Internationals.

In a Lancashire shirt, Anderson made 112 First-Class appearances, claiming 443 wickets. He also took 83 wickets in 61 List A matches and a further 50 in 40 T20 appearances for the Red Rose. He played a part in Lancashire’s County Championship title triumph in 2011, before reaching the milestone of 1,000 first-class wickets during a Championship match against Kent at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground in 2019. Anderson was appointed Lancashire’s red-ball captain for the 2026 season, taking on the role for the first time in his career.

In 2017, Lancashire Cricket honoured his outstanding contribution to the Club by renaming the Pavilion End at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground the James Anderson End. Anderson was knighted in 2025 in recognition of his services to cricket.

Anderson said

Paul Farbrace, Lancashire’s incoming Director of Cricket, added: “Jimmy is without doubt the greatest bowler Lancashire and England have produced. He has been a fantastic competitor throughout his career, with exceptional skill and an unwavering commitment to setting the highest standards in every dressing room he has been part of.

“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.

“I would like to thank Jimmy for everything he has given to Lancashire Cricket over the course of his career. His contribution to the Club has been immense, both on and off the field, and he leaves a lasting legacy. We have enormous respect for what he has achieved, and we will always be proud that he has represented Lancashire for so many years.”

Lancashire Cricket would like to thank Jimmy for his outstanding commitment and contribution to the Club over the last 25 years and wishes him and his family well for the next phase of his career.