Cricket-Lancashire exit came as shock, says Anderson

Former England fast bowler James ​Anderson has said he ​was shocked when Lancashire ‌chose not ​to renew his contract, ending a 25-year association with his home county. The 44-year-old, ‌England's leading test wicket taker with 704 victims in 188 matches, retired from international duty in 2024.

"I was being told they thought the ‌best way for the team to move forward was without ‌me. I was quite shocked. It was quite brief," Anderson told the BBC Tailenders podcast on Friday. "I wanted to see my career out with Lancs (Lancashire). ⁠I ​don't know if ⁠my career is done, we'll have to wait and see, but it ⁠would be nice at some point if someone would let me retire."

Anderson, ​who captained Lancashire's red-ball side for the first time this ⁠season, took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 as the county finished ⁠seventh ​in the eight-team second division. Anderson said he was excited by new opportunities, including his role as captain and co-owner ⁠of the Napoli Knights in the Italia T10 league.

"I have to attack ⁠it like ⁠that and not dwell too much on how or why it finished at Lancs," he said.