James Anderson set to retire from first-class cricket at 44 after Lancashire contract snub

James Anderson is expected to retire from first-class cricket at 44 after Lancashire told him his contract will not be renewed for the 2027 season. Incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace and new chief executive Richard Kenyon delivered the decision on Monday.

Anderson took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in Division Two last season and was named the county's Championship player of the year. He captained Lancashire in 2026 after retiring from England duty in 2024 with 704 Test wickets. Lancashire finished second-bottom of Division Two this year.

He made his first-class debut for the county in 2002 and finished his career with 1,193 first-class wickets. Farbrace and Kenyon are reviewing the club's operations after a poor season that saw Lancashire eliminated early from both white-ball competitions.