James Anderson joins Surrey after Lancashire exit

After a 25-year association with Lancashire, James Anderson will sign a new contract with Surrey in 2027, joining the Oval-based county to continue his County Championship career.

The 44-year-old took 50 wickets in the County Championship at an average of just under 18 in 2026 and was named Lancashire's player of the year. However, Lancashire decided not to extend his contract, bringing an end to his lengthy association with the club.

"If it were up to me, it wouldn't have ended like this," Anderson had stated, expressing dissatisfaction with the manner in which he had left the company. Stuart Broad, who used to play fast bowling for England, also criticized Lancashire's handling of the situation, calling it "disrespectful." The legendary fast bowler will now reunite with former England teammate Alec Stewart, who is currently Surrey's Director of Men's Cricket.

The most by a fast bowler in the game's history, Anderson retired from international cricket in 2024 with a total of 911 wickets across all formats, including 704 in Test matches.

In contrast, the Oval has also played a significant role in Anderson's career. In 2018, he beat Glenn McGrath's record for most Test wickets taken by a fast bowler at the venue by dismissing Mohammed Shami for 564.

"It is an honor to join a club like Surrey, and I am eager to begin a new career chapter. "I'm excited to be a part of that because Surrey have a great team and expect to compete for Championship titles," Anderson stated.

"I still feel like I have a lot to contribute by trying to help the team win cricket games and taking wickets. In addition, I believe I can contribute a great deal to the team off the field by assisting young players aspiring to develop their skills and represent their nation.

Stewart cited Anderson's performances from the previous season as evidence that the younger bowlers at Surrey could benefit from his experience. "Jimmy brings quality with the ball. Stewart stated, "He is still one of the best bowlers in the country because of his 50 Championship wickets last season."

"All of our bowlers will benefit from Jimmy's wealth of experience, which he also brings to the group. Many of our players want to play for international teams, and they will learn a lot from training, playing, and being in Jimmy's dressing room."