Jimmy Anderson to leave Lancashire after 25 years

Lancashire confirmed on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, that it will not extend Jimmy Anderson’s playing contract for 2027, ending a 25-year association that began with his 2001 debut. Anderson, England’s leading Test wicket-taker with 704 wickets in 188 Tests, posted on social media shortly before the club announcement. He said supporting Lancashire since childhood made 25 years there a dream, recalled special memories and the honor of captaining at Old Trafford, and added that if it were up to him it would not have ended like this while wishing players and fans well. Incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace said that in a Monday, Oct. 19 meeting at Emirates Old Trafford with CEO Richard Kenyon he told Anderson of the difficult decision not to extend the deal, citing ambitions to rebuild a men’s squad able to win promotion from Division Two and then challenge in Division One over three to four years. Farbrace called Anderson the greatest bowler Lancashire and England have produced and thanked him for an immense on- and off-field contribution and lasting legacy. Anderson took 443 first-class wickets in 112 Lancashire games, plus List A and T20 tallies, helped win the 2011 title, and in 2026 took 50 wickets at 17.68 as red-ball captain while the side finished seventh of eight in Division Two. He has not said whether he will play elsewhere.