Jimmy Anderson Expected to Retire as Lancashire Declines to Extend Contract

Jimmy Anderson, the England bowler, is likely to retire at age 44 after Lancashire decided not to renew his contract for the next season. Following a disappointing season where Lancashire finished second-bottom in Division Two of the County Championship, new leadership led by CEO Richard Kenyon and director of cricket Paul Farbrace informed Anderson that he is not part of their future plans. Anderson took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in his last campaign and had been playing on season-by-season contracts since retiring from England international cricket in 2024. Unless he signs with another county or overseas side, this will be the end of his professional career, during which he amassed 1,193 first-class wickets and over 400 in limited overs, earning a knighthood in 2025 for his contributions to cricket.