James Anderson’s legendary career could be over after Lancashire opted against offering England’s all-time leading wicket-taker a new contract.
Anderson, 44, chose to continue playing with Lancashire after England forced him into international retirement in 2024.
He captained Lancashire in the County Championship last season but the Red Rose endured a poor season, finishing next to bottom of Division Two.
Now, as first reported by the Times, Anderson will not be given the opportunity to play at Old Trafford in 2027 – the summer when he will turn 45.
It is not known whether Anderson will retire or look to extend his 26-year professional career with another county.
Anderson first played top-level cricket as a 17-year-old for Lancashire Cricket Board in 2000, then made his Lancashire debut the following year.
His exit from the Red Rose comes at a time of upheaval at Old Trafford. The county are undergoing a review of their cricket operations, led by interim chair Dame Sarah Storey and new chief executive Richard Kenyon. Paul Farbrace was appointed as Lancashire’s director of cricket earlier this month.
Although Anderson is in his mid-40s, he has remained in supreme form in a struggling team.
He took 50 wickets in the County Championship in 2026, a tally bettered by only six other bowlers in Division Two. Anderson was named Lancashire’s Championship player of the year.
Overall, 443 of Anderson’s 1,193 first-class wickets came for Lancashire, to go with 83 List A wickets and 50 T20 wickets for the county.