Arabic version: لانكشاير يرفض منح جيمس أندرسون عقداً جديداً

According to BBC News, Lancashire will not offer James Anderson a new contract, leaving the future of England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker uncertain. The decision means Anderson will not have the opportunity to play at Old Trafford in 2027, the summer in which he will turn 45.

Anderson, 44, continued with Lancashire after England forced him into international retirement in 2024. He captained the county in the County Championship last season, although Lancashire finished next to bottom of Division Two in a poor campaign.

Despite his age and Lancashire’s struggles, Anderson remained in strong form. He took 50 wickets in the 2026 County Championship, a total bettered by only six bowlers in Division Two, and was named Lancashire’s Championship player of the year.

It is not known whether Anderson will retire or seek to extend his 26-year professional career with another county. He first played top-level cricket for Lancashire Cricket Board as a 17-year-old in 2000, before making his Lancashire debut the following year.

Anderson took 443 of his 1,193 first-class wickets for Lancashire, alongside 83 List A wickets and 50 T20 wickets for the county. His departure comes while Lancashire review their cricket operations under interim chair Dame Sarah Storey and new chief executive Richard Kenyon. Paul Farbrace was appointed director of cricket earlier this month.