James Anderson has been confirmed as Lancashire’s full-time County Championship captain forward of the 2026 season, following his interim management throughout two intervals in 2025. The veteran quick bowler’s appointment follows the resignation of Keaton Jennings in Could 2025, marking a brand new chapter for the workforce’s management.
Anderson, 43, stays devoted to Lancashire regardless of stepping away from Take a look at cricket in 2024. He retired with a document 704 Take a look at wickets and was awarded a knighthoodhowever his dedication to the county aspect is undimmed. Within the 2025 season, Anderson took 17 first-class wickets at a mean of 25.94 throughout six matches, demonstrating his ongoing worth on the sector.
The management change is a part of a wider response to Lancashire’s disappointing 2025 Championship marketing campaign. The membership made vital changes, together with the departure of head coach Dale Benkenstein and the appointment of former participant Steven Croft as the brand new head coach. Anderson steps into the captaincy with a transparent goal.
“Captain Lancashire for the primary time final season was an enormous privilege, and I am honored to tackle the position full-time heading into the brand new season,” Anderson stated.
“We have got a implausible group of gamers, an excellent mix of youth and expertise, and I am enthusiastic about what we will obtain along with promotion again to Division One our primary precedence.”
Along with Anderson’s appointment, Josh Bohannon will proceed as vice-captain, sustaining the management construction first launched in 2024. Keaton Jennings stays captain for the Vitality Blast competitors. Anderson, in the meantime, was a key contributor within the 2025 Vitality Blast with 20 wickets at a mean of 16.10.
Steven Croft, who just lately retired as a participant and have become head coach, expressed his confidence in Anderson’s management talents.
“Jimmy is an excellent chief whose affect on the squad is immense. His expertise in cricket is second to none, and the best way he stepped into the captaincy throughout the second half of final season confirmed precisely why he is the precise individual for the job.
“He additionally leads the best way along with his performances on the sector and his dedication and dedication to coaching and dwelling the precise way of life units the right normal for the remainder of the dressing room.
“With Jimmy as captain and Josh persevering with as vice-captain, we’ve a powerful, secure management workforce that may drive our ambitions within the County Championship subsequent season.”
Anderson’s twin position in each the County Championship and the Vitality Blast displays his continued dedication to Lancashire. His on-field contributions throughout 2025 bolstered his affect and reliability, regardless of his current worldwide retirement.
Lancashire’s 2026 County Championship marketing campaign begins on April 3 with an away match towards Northamptonshire, adopted by a house fixture towards Derbyshire. These matches would be the first check of the brand new management workforce’s efforts to attain rapid promotion again to Division One.
– ends