Jimmy Anderson likely to suit up for Lancashire this season as talks proceed for former England pacer to sign an all-format deal.
Jimmy Anderson looks set to make a professional comeback in Division Two of the County Championship next season.
He is reportedly in negotiations with Lancashire to make an all-format comeback that will extend his career past the age of forty-three.
In July 2024, Anderson faced the West Indies at Lord’s for his 188th and last Test match. After 21 years, he retired from competitive cricket after taking 704 Test wickets at a score of 26.45.
He did, however, demonstrate that he had unresolved business when he put himself up for sale at the December IPL auction. He has maintained his fitness while serving as England’s Test bowling coach by working with the team’s strength and conditioning coaches in addition to spending regular time in the nets.
He’s now prepared to commit to at least one final season with Lancashire. It is the team that signed him as a teenager nearly 25 years ago. It is for whom he made his first-class debut in 2002, according to The Telegraph.
Although Anderson showed his lasting ability to play first-class cricket. He had figures of 7 for 35 in his lone game against Nottinghamshire at Southport in June. Lancashire was demoted from the top level of the County Championship last season.
He should be available from the beginning of the 2025 season. It includes a return to Lord’s to play Middlesex in Lancashire’s opening match from April 4–7. If he stays on as England’s coach, he may play in five games before the Test summer starts in May with a one-off match against Zimbabwe.
Since he is no longer an ECB centrally contracted player. Lancashire would also have to pay Anderson’s wages for the first time in over ten years. This in addition to juggling his return with his expanding media responsibilities.
On April 11, Lancashire will play their first home game against Northamptonshire at Old Trafford in the Championship’s second round.
Even though he hasn’t played T20 cricket in any capacity for over ten years. He might also play for Lancashire’s white-ball sides. In the 2014 T20 Blast final, Lancashire lost by four runs, which was his final game in the format.