Jimmy Anderson signs new deal with Lancashire to continue playing past 43 – after he was brutally axed by England last year

  • Jimmy Anderson made his 188th and final Test appearance in July last year
  • He has now committed to both County Championship and Twenty20 cricket

Jimmy Anderson will resume his playing career with Lancashire this year after signing a 12-month contract at his boyhood club.

Anderson, who turns 43 in July, has taken on a mentoring role with England since making his 188th and final Test appearance against West Indies at Lord’s last July, and resisted the opportunity to feature for Lancashire at the end of the 2024 season.

However, he is now committing to both County Championship and Twenty20 cricket – a format he last played 11 years ago – following the expiration of his ECB central contract.

‘This club has played a huge part in my life since I was a teenager, so to have the opportunity to wear the Red Rose again and help the side in both red and white ball cricket is one that I am really looking forward to,’ Anderson said.

‘I have been working hard on keeping my fitness levels high and continuing to bowl regularly during my time as a coach with England throughout the winter, with the aim of being able to hit the ground running when the county season starts in April.

‘I love playing at Emirates Old Trafford and to have the chance to walk out and bowl in front of our members and supporters again this summer is going to be really special.’

Jimmy Anderson will resume his playing career with Lancashire after signing a new deal 

Anderson has been working as a bowling mentor for England since his international retirement

Anderson has been working as a bowling mentor for England since his international retirement

Anderson made clear last September that he wanted to continue playing, saying that he would be talking to Lancashire over the winter months and went unsold after putting his name forward for the Indian Premier League.

Instead, he a bowler who finished with 704 Test wickets will spend April and May bowling in the second tier of the County Championship.

‘From speaking to Jimmy recently, it became clear that his desire to resume playing professional cricket was strengthening every day and he was just desperate to get back out on the park,’ said Lancashire’s director of cricket performance Mark Chilton.

‘As it stands, he is fully committed to the county season across both the County Championship and Vitality Blast this summer, and whilst we all recognise he will have other opportunities, he has made it clear playing is his first priority.

‘To be able to share a dressing room with England’s all-time leading wicket taker, and one of cricket’s greatest players, is incredible for our squad.’

England CricketJames Anderson

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