England great Anderson treated with disrespect by Lancashire: Broad

Stuart Broad is unhappy with how James Anderson’s exit from Lancashire was handled. | Photo Credit: GETTY IMAGES

England’s record Test wicket-taker James Anderson was treated with disrespect when he was released by Lancashire, according to his former pace bowling partner Stuart Broad.

Lancashire announced on Sunday that Anderson would not have his contract renewed.

It came after a season in which the 44-year-old took 50 County Championship wickets at an average of 17 and was named Lancashire’s ‘Player of the Year’.

Anderson indicated that the decision to part ways with the club had been taken out of his hands.

“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,” he said.

Broad, who formed a lethal tandem with Anderson in England’s pace attack, slammed Lancashire’s decision to axe his old friend.

“I think it’s a pretty disrespectful way for Lancashire to deliver that news to him,” Broad told the For The Love of Cricket podcast.

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“I think you give your icons or greats of the game a better sign-off, a better send-off than that, and it shows a lack of leadership at that club, a lack of doing it the right way.”

Anderson retired from Test cricket in 2024 with 704 wickets, the most by a fast bowler in the five-day format.

Only spin bowling stars Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) took more Test wickets than Anderson.

Broad said the Lancashire controversy echoed how Anderson’s England career was ended in 2024, before he was ready to call time.

“I feel for Jimmy because the Test career sort of got ended by (director of cricket) Rob Key and (former coach) Brendon McCullum before -- a bit of a shock to Jimmy for sure, and done in a pretty poor way,” Broad said.

“This, again, just doesn’t sit that comfortably for me, and I think he deserves more.”