James Anderson will return to play for Lancashire in the 2025 season. (File)
A year after his international retirement, veteran English pacer James Anderson is set to resume his County and T20 career with his boyhood team, Lancashire, on a one-year contract, the team announced on Monday.
“I am incredibly excited to sign this contract with Lancashire and resume playing professional cricket again next season,” Anderson said. “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.
“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.
Ready for the next chapter, @jimmy9? 🌹👀 https://t.co/X3cr1RCaYq pic.twitter.com/jNVkc2OXhh
— Lancashire Cricket Men (@lancscricket) January 13, 2025
“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.”
Anderson has not played a game since his farewell Test at Lord’s last July. Anderson then stayed on with the Test side as a bowling consultant. The Burnley Express insisted that he was keen on a return to T20 cricket after a decade and extend his playing career. Anderson put in his name for the Indian Premier League (IPL) Auction for the first time, but found no takers.
The fresh contract with Lancashire could see the 42-year-old Anderson playing his first T20 game since August 2014.
The soon-to-be 43 Anderson made his Lancashire debut in 2001. A Test legend of 704 wickets, Anderson only made one County appearance last year, but recorded an 8 for 64 haul against Nottinghamshire at Southport.
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