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 won't be renewed for 2027. Incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace and new chief executive Richard Kenyon delivered the news.

Anderson took 50 wickets at 17 in Division Two last season. 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 took 1,193 wickets across his career.