'Not the way you treat such a legend' - what next for Anderson?

Former England captain Nasser Hussain reflects on reports that James Anderson’s contract will not be renewed at Lancashire, which would end his 26-year career at his boyhood county and raise questions over the 44-year-old’s future in the sport

Of all the things wrong at Lancashire recently and all the problems they've had, on and off the field, I didn't think Anderson was one of them.

He took 50 wickets at an average of 17 last season and is a Lancashire boy through and through. He's still bowling well and obviously he's had a couple of injuries, but when he has played he has still put in performances.

I remember selecting him for England in 2002 in Australia and we picked him from Lancashire's second team virtually - that's how long he's been there. His longevity is just incredible really for a fast bowler.

I don't know what the financial situation is at Lancashire, so I don't want to comment too much on whether it's right or wrong, but it just didn't seem to me to be the change that you need to make at that club.

If you want to make change, you've got to try and have people like Anderson that take you and help you on that journey. I'm just not sure it's the way you treat such a legend of the club, just not to renew his contract like that.

🐐🍷 @jimmy9 James Anderson is our @countychamp Player of the Year. 🏆 🌹 #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/QqWWV0cLBE

I'd rather not focus in on how it ended, both for England and for Lancashire - I'd rather be thankful that we've had 26 years of Anderson giving it all for England and Lancashire.

I thought it was a marginal call at best from England to leave him out and retire him the way they did, because they wanted younger bowlers like Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue to come through.

He would have bowled alright in Australia last winter, I tell you. He'd have bowled better than some that bowled out there and he bowled better than some that bowled for Lancashire this summer and have done for the last 26 years.

If Anderson is the problem at Lancashire, I've been watching a different Lancashire over the last few years - he is the last of their problems. I can't believe that he's going to be treated like this and he deserves a bit better.

The best to do it with a red ball in hand. 🐐 A prolific 50 wicket season from @jimmy9 in 2026. 🌹 #RedRoseTogether pic.twitter.com/8yFzfTyX2n

I'd say most counties in the country would take Anderson, even at the age of 44. When I watched clips of him this summer, he still had that magic about him and the hunger.

His skill is just incredible - the control of the ball, the way he changed from being a swing bowler to a wobble seam bowler and a swing bowler, his hunger, his fitness and his longevity.