Breaking
Wednesday 21 October 2026 17:46, 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.
Anderson's Milestone Wickets for England
- 1: Mark Vermeulen, Zimbabwe
- 100: Jacques Kallis, South Africa
- 200: Peter Siddle, Australia
- 300: Peter Fulton, New Zealand
- 400: Martin Guptill, New Zealand
- 500: Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies
- 600: Azhar Ali, Pakistan
- 700: Kuldeep Yadav, India
Lancashire have recently appointed Richard Kenyon as chief executive and Paul Farbrace as director of cricket to lead the rebuild and the Press Association understands 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.
Lancashire declined to comment.
More to follow...
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)