Michael Atherton has defended Lancashire’s handling of James Anderson‘s departure, claiming that the team handled the bowler’s departure with decency and openness. Anderson, who led Lancashire’s red-ball team in the County Championship in 2026 and took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68, will not be given a new contract for 2027. Paul Farbrace, the Red Rose’s new director of cricket, has made it clear that he intends to develop an attack that is future-focused after the team finished second last in Division Two that season.
While discussing the larger circumstances surrounding Anderson’s release, Atherton acknowledged his outstanding performance from the previous season. In an interview with the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Atherton said that although Anderson was by far Lancashire’s best bowler in 2026, the club’s choice to proceed without him is indicative of Farbrace’s strategic plan for the county.
Michael Atherton emphasized that Anderson’s departure was handled directly by both Lancashire and England. He clarified that Anderson was notified during a meeting with the club’s management, guaranteeing that the bowler was informed directly rather than indirectly. Although Anderson was taken aback by the choice, Michael Atherton pointed out that the way it was communicated showed consideration for his 25-year relationship with the team, which started in 2002.
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You can make a strong case that he should still be leading that Lancashire attack regardless of your age. If you are good enough, you are good enough. I disagree with some of the comments made elsewhere because both Lancashire and England have not handled it well. “How do you do that when someone like Paul Farbrace takes over as Lancashire’s director of cricket or, in England’s case, Rob Key, decides to move on?” Atherton stated in the aforementioned source.
Anderson was informed directly in both cases. It wasn’t done in secret. Jimmy was caught off guard by [his Lancashire release], but it happened in person. I believe Farbrace was overseas when the members’ meeting took place, but he dialed in and didn’t back down from the decision after they explained the reasoning. He assumed full responsibility for it. Therefore, I don’t think it has been handled poorly. If I had been in Lancashire’s shoes, I might have tried to get a season out of him next year, but I felt England was right to move on at that point,” he continued.
What will happen to James Anderson next?
At forty-four, Anderson has not yet made a commitment to continue his county career outside of Lancashire. He has been named a co-owner of Napoli Knights and is scheduled to play in the Italia T10 League in Rome later this month. Anderson stated that he would not have thought so when asked if he could see himself playing for Yorkshire, leaving his immediate future uncertain as he weighs his options after leaving Old Trafford.
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