By Islam El-Sakka
England's record Test wicket-taker James Anderson says he is "sad" and "shocked" after being released by Lancashire County Cricket Club, and has not decided whether to continue playing for another county.
Brief meeting ends long association
The 44-year-old, who took 50 wickets in the County Championship and captained the side last season, revealed on the Tailenders podcast that the decision came in a brief meeting with incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace and new chief executive Richard Kenyon. Anderson said he expected a discussion about the team's direction but was instead told the club wanted to build an attack for the future without him.
Parallels with England exit
Lancashire finished second bottom in Division Two. The move mirrors England's decision to move on from Anderson ahead of the 2025-26 Ashes. Anderson said the news made him question whether there was "something fundamentally wrong with me as a person."
Criticism and interest from other counties
The decision angered Lancashire members and drew criticism from former England bowling partner Stuart Broad, who called it "pretty disrespectful" and noted the lack of a farewell. Anderson has claimed 443 first-class wickets for Lancashire since his debut in 2000.
Processing the future
Other counties are reportedly interested in signing the bowler, who turns 45 next summer. Anderson joked he "wouldn't have thought" he could play for historic rivals Yorkshire, but said he is starting to get excited about the future, whether in cricket or something different. He emphasized his enduring support for Lancashire.
