![James Anderson to retire [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792597708999_JamesAnderson.jpg?type=hq)
James Anderson to retire [Source: AFP]
England legend James Anderson will retire from professional cricket ahead of the next County Championship season. The reported decision to retire at 44 comes after his recent discussions with Lancashire County Cricket Club, whom he last represented in September against Kent.
Anderson retired from international cricket in 2024 and has since only played domestic cricket and The Hundred for Manchester Originals. Interestingly, he also registered for an IPL auction, where he found no franchises interested in him.
James Anderson to retire from professional cricket
The fast bowler’s decision to finally end his long career, spanning over 25 years, comes after his County Club, Lancashire, decided not to renew his contract for the 2027 season. According to the Daily Mail, the County Club’s new chief, Richard Kenyon and Director of Cricket Paul Farbrace conveyed their decision to the player earlier this week.
As per the same report, Anderson is unwilling to extend his career elsewhere to enter his 27th First Class season. With this, he will end his First-Class career with 1193 wickets, only 7 shy of the unimaginable 1200-wicket milestone.
Anderson ends First Class career on a high
James Anderson finished his Test career with a whopping 704 wickets, only 4 behind Shane Warne, in 188 Test matches at an average of 26.45. No other pacer has scalped more wickets than him in Test cricket.
Despite being out of the Test circuit, he decided to play on for Lancashire and picked 50 wickets in 11 matches in his last season in 2026. He finished County Championship Division 2 only 10 wickets behind the leading wicket-taker, Matthew Potts.
Anderson averaged just 17.68 in his final season and bagged the best figures of 5/66. Unfortunately, his 50 wickets were far from enough to help Lancashire earn a promotion to the first division, and they finished 7th on the table with 2 wins, 8 losses and 4 draws in 14 matches.
If Anderson retires ahead of the next season, he will end his career with 1622 professional wickets in 639 matches across the three formats.
