Anderson weighing up future after Lancashire exit

James Anderson is weighing up his future - whether that involves playing cricket or "something different" - after being told his Lancashire contract would not be renewed.

Anderson - who first played List A cricket with Lancashire as a 17-year-old in 2000 - will see his 26-year association with the club end, despite taking 50 wickets at an average of 17 amid their struggles in Division Two of the County Championship in 2026.

Speaking on the BBC's Tailenders podcast, England's all-time leading wicket taker said the decision made him question whether something was "wrong" with his character after his side finished second bottom of the table.

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"All of the way through the season myself and the head coach were like 'is it something we are doing? Could we be doing more to help the team?'" Anderson said.

"I finished the season thinking 'was it something I did? Was I doing something wrong?' - and then I get this news - now I am thinking that even more.

"I'm thinking 'this is happening again - is there something fundamentally wrong with me as a person?' Your head just races.

"I wanted to see my career out with Lancs. I don't know if my career is done, we will have to wait and see, but it would be nice at some point if someone would let me retire."

Despite the controversy surrounding the end of his Lancashire tenure, the seamer remains optimistic about a future within or outside of cricket.

He added: "I'm starting to get excited about the future, whether it's something different or playing cricket again. It's exciting.

"There are exciting challenges ahead. I have to attack it like that and not dwell too much on how or why it finished at Lancs.

"I am sad the way it ended with the club I supported as a kid but now I have thought about it I am quite excited for the future.

"I am always going to support Lancashire."

Anderson's career timeline

May 2002 - Anderson makes first-class debut for Lancashire; takes his maiden first-class wicket in May, dismissing Ian Ward.

December 15, 2002 - Anderson makes ODI debut for England against Australia in Melbourne, aged 20.

February-March 2003 - Anderson selected in England's squad for 2003 Cricket World Cup, producing match-winning spell against Pakistan. England lose to eventual champions Australia.

May 2003 - Anderson becomes youngest player to take a hat-trick in Lancashire history - the first at Old Trafford for eight years.

May 22, 2003 - Anderson makes Test match debut for England against Zimbabwe at Lord's, still aged 20. Takes five wickets in an innings on debut.

August 2003 - Anderson unanimously voted as England's Young Cricketer of the Year.

September 2003 - Anderson handed central contract with the ECB.

July 2005 - After period out of the England squad, Anderson is recalled for final Test of Ashes series, but fails to make team.

September-December 2006 - After a back stress fracture and six months out, Anderson returns to England side for Ashes series in 5-0 whitewash defeat in late 2006.

January 2007 - Anderson plays in his first T20 International, playing for England against Australia in Sydney.

2009 - Anderson is named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year following a standout Test series against in 2009 Ashes victory.

September 2011 - Anderson helps Lancashire win the County Championship title.

July 2014 - Batting at No 11, Anderson makes 81 against India, his highest Test total

March 2015 - Anderson plays his final ODI match for England against Afghanistan in Sydney.

April 2015 - Against West Indies, Anderson becomes England's record Test wicket-taker with his 384th dismissal.

July 25, 2016 - Anderson becomes first fast bowler to take 50 wickets against all other seven major Test-playing nations, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and West Indies.

December 26, 2019 - Anderson becomes ninth cricketer to play in 150 Test matches.

January 5, 2020 - Anderson takes 28th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, overtaking Ian Botham's England record.

March 9, 2024 - Anderson becomes only third player in history to reach 700 career Test wickets

July 2024 - Anderson announces international retirement having played his 188th and final Test match for England against the West Indies at Lord's.

April 2025 - Knighthood | Appointed a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services to cricket.

2025-2026 - Lancashire Captaincy & Contract. Returned briefly to T20 cricket, signed a one-year extension, and was named Lancashire red-ball captain for the 2026 County Championship season.