James Anderson is reportedly set to retire from professional contract after Lancashire informed the England great they will not be offering him a new contract.
According to The Times, Lancashire have opted against offering the veteran pace bowler a new deal, with the Daily Mail adding that Anderson is likely to retire.
Anderson signed a one-year deal last November to extend his playing career beyond his 44th birthday, and despite taking 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in the County Championship Division Two, Lancashire have informed England's all-time leading wicket-taker that he will not be offered fresh terms.
At the beginning of the 2025 campaign, Anderson suggested he could play three more years for Lancashire, which would take him to 2027 and the age of 45.
"I still get the same buzz walking out at Emirates Old Trafford that I did when I made my debut," he told the club last year.
"I've really enjoyed my cricket this year and still feel like I've got plenty to offer. I'm as hungry as ever to perform and contribute to the team's success across both red and white ball cricket."
But Anderson's hopes of prolonging his career have been dashed, and although The Times' Mike Atherton added it's not yet clear whether he will play for another county, reports elsewhere suggest Anderson will call time on his illustrious career.
The greatest fast bowler England produced, Anderson made his Lancashire debut in 2001 and 25 years into his professional career, he's demonstrated his longevity with some standout performances across both the County Championship and white-ball formats.
However, Lancashire have endured two consecutive disastrous seasons with relegation from Division One preceding one of the most disastrous campaigns in the club's history as they finished second bottom in Division Two.
Long-serving chief executive Daniel Gidney left at the end of the season while director of cricket Mark Chilton was dismissed. Anderson, who was appointed club captain before the 2026 campaign, is the next to depart with Lancashire's new director of cricket Paul Farbrace informing the veteran that he does not feature in their future plans.
Anderson's all-time career statistics stand at 1,193 first-class wickets, including 51 five-fers and six 10-wicket hauls.
