James Anderson: Lancashire decide not to renew contract of record wicket-taking seamer
James Anderson's final England appearance came in 2024; he has continued playing for Lancashire and captained county in Division Two this season; record-breaking bowler will not be offered new deal by club he joined 25 years ago
Thursday 22 October 2026 09:00, UK
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.
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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.
Lancashire have recently appointed Richard Kenyon as chief executive and Paul Farbrace as director of cricket to lead the rebuild, and Anderson is not a part of their plan.
As first reported by The Times, it is understood Anderson is set to end a long association with Lancashire that began 25 years ago, leaving his future up in the air.
Anderson's career timeline
May 2002 - Anderson makes first-class debut for Lancashire; takes his maiden first-class wicket in May, dismissing Ian Ward.
December 15, 2002 - Anderson makes ODI debut for England against Australia in Melbourne, aged 20.
February-March 2003 - Anderson selected in England's squad for 2003 Cricket World Cup, producing match-winning spell against Pakistan. England lose to eventual champions Australia.
May 2003 - Anderson becomes youngest player to take a hat-trick in Lancashire history - the first at Old Trafford for eight years.
May 22, 2003 - Anderson makes Test match debut for England against Zimbabwe at Lord's, still aged 20. Takes five wickets in an innings on debut.
August 2003 - Anderson unanimously voted as England's Young Cricketer of the Year.
September 2003 - Anderson handed central contract with the ECB.
July 2005 - After period out of the England squad, Anderson is recalled for final Test of Ashes series, but fails to make team.
September-December 2006 - After a back stress fracture and six months out, Anderson returns to England side for Ashes series in 5-0 whitewash defeat in late 2006.
January 2007 - Anderson plays in his first T20 International, playing for England against Australia in Sydney.
2009 - Anderson is named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year following a standout Test series against in 2009 Ashes victory.
September 2011 - Anderson helps Lancashire win the County Championship title.
July 2014 - Batting at No 11, Anderson makes 81 against India, his highest Test total
March 2015 - Anderson plays his final ODI match for England against Afghanistan in Sydney.
April 2015 - Against West Indies, Anderson becomes England's record Test wicket-taker with his 384th dismissal.
July 25, 2016 - Anderson becomes first fast bowler to take 50 wickets against all other seven major Test-playing nations, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.
December 26, 2019 - Anderson becomes ninth cricketer to play in 150 Test matches.
January 5, 2020 - Anderson takes 28th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, overtaking Ian Botham's England record.
March 9, 2024 - Anderson becomes only third player in history to reach 700 career Test wickets
July 2024 - Anderson announces international retirement having played his 188th and final Test match for England against the West Indies at Lord's.
April 2025 - Knighthood | Appointed a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services to cricket.
2025-2026 - Lancashire Captaincy & Contract. Returned briefly to T20 cricket, signed a one-year extension, and was named Lancashire red-ball captain for the 2026 County Championship season.
Watch England's next tri-series match, against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, live on Sky Sports Cricket and Main Event from 8.30am on Thursday (9am first ball). Not got Sky? Latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract through NOW - cancel anytime.
ODI tri-series results and schedule
All games live on Sky Sports; all times UK and Ireland
- October 18 - Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by 37 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 20 - Pakistan beat England by 87 runs (Rawalpindi)
- October 22 (9am) - Sri Lanka vs England (Rawalpindi)
- October 25 (8am) - Pakistan vs England (Lahore)
- October 27 (8am) - Pakistan vs Sri Lanka (Lahore)
- October 29 (8am) - Sri Lanka vs England (Lahore)
- October 31 (8am) - Final (Lahore)
