James Anderson extends his Lancashire journey for another year, taking his association with them to a 26th year.
James Anderson extends Lancashire career into 26th year.
After agreeing to a new one-year deal with Lancashire that will involve participation in the Rothesay County Championship and the Vitality Blast, James Anderson will continue his 25-year professional career into the 2026 campaign.
In 188 Test matches, Anderson, 43, amassed a national record 704 Test wickets—the most ever taken by a specialist fast bowler and second only to Sachin Tendulkar of India. He is still England’s top ODI wicket-taker with 269, even though he hasn’t been included in the team’s white-ball preparations since 2015.
“I’m absolutely delighted to sign for another year with Lancashire,” Anderson said. “This club has been my home since I was a teenager, and I still get the same buzz walking out at Emirates Old Trafford that I did when I made my debut.
“I’ve really enjoyed my cricket this year and still feel like I’ve got plenty to offer. I’m as hungry as ever to perform and contribute to the team’s success across both red- and white-ball cricket.
“We’ve got a really talented squad with great ambitions, and I’m looking forward to helping the group continue to develop, while supporting Crofty [head coach Stephen Croft] in his new role as we push for promotion and trophies in 2026.”
Director of Cricket Performance, Mark Chilton, added: “We’re thrilled that Jimmy has committed to another season with Lancashire. His performances in 2025 showed exactly why he remains one of the finest bowlers in the game – his skill and competitiveness on the field are unmatched.
“Jimmy continues to be an outstanding role model for our players, raising standards every day and it was brilliant to see the impact he made on the dressing room when he stepped into the County Championship captaincy role during the second half of last season.
“In addition to the consistency of his red-ball performances, for Jimmy to come in from the cold in terms of T20 cricket and play such an effective role in our Vitality Blast campaign at 43 years of age was remarkable.
“Having him continue with us into 2026 is fantastic news for our Members and supporters and a huge boost for everyone at Emirates Old Trafford ahead of next season.”