Anderson stops short of retiring after Lancashire exit

James Anderson has expressed sadness at being released by Lancashire, but stopped short of confirming the end of his legendary playing career.

Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, was informed by Lancashire last Monday that he will not be offered a new contract by the county he first represented in 2001.

In his first public comments since then, the 44-year-old wrote on Instagram: "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."

Despite turning 45 next year, Anderson had planned to play in the summer of 2027. Following news of his exit from Old Trafford, BBC Sport learned other counties would be interested in signing the seam bowler.

At the same time as Anderson's post on social media on Sunday, Lancashire also released their first statement about his exit, explaining their decision.

The Red Rose finished second-bottom in Division Two of the County Championship last season and have appointed Richard Kenyon as their new chief executive and Paul Farbrace as director of cricket.

Farbrace said the county are looking to "rebuild", with the goal of challenging to win the County Championship within three or four years, by which time Anderson will be in his late 40s.

"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," said Farbrace.

"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."

Anderson first played List A cricket in 2000 as a 17-year-old for the Lancashire Cricket Board against Suffolk.

He made his professional debut for Lancashire a year later and was in the England team by the end of 2002.

In addition to his 911 international wickets – an England record and a record for all pace bowlers - Anderson claimed 443 first-class scalps for Lancashire, along with 83 in List A cricket and a further 50 in T20s.

When his England career was abruptly ended in 2024, Anderson opted to continue playing with Lancashire in 2025. At the time, he said he felt he could play for three more years.

He was named captain for the County Championship in 2026. Although Lancashire struggled, Anderson's performances did not drop. He claimed 50 wickets in Division Two and was named the club's Championship player of the year.

"I've supported Lancashire since I was a kid, and so to get to play for them for 25 years was a dream come true," Anderson wrote on Instagram.

"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."

Given Anderson was keen to continue playing for Lancashire before he was released, he could consider moving to another county.

A number of clubs in both divisions of the County Championship are keen to speak to Anderson and some have already reached out.

Any move for Anderson would likely depend on the finances of the deal, the role he would be offered and the logistics of spending time away from his home in Cheshire.