Sir James Anderson will proceed his storied profession in 2027 after signing to play for Surrey in Division One of many County Championship.
Anderson, England’s all-time main wicket taker, was controversially launched by residence county Lancashire final month which fuelled speak of attainable retirement.
However, amid robust curiosity from a number of golf equipment for his providers, the 44-year-old will play on after agreeing a red-ball deal on the Kia Oval.
For unique tales and all of the detailed cricket news you want, subscribe to The Cricket Paper web site, digital version, or newspaper from as little as 14p a day
New chapter
“It’s an honour to hitch a membership like Surrey and I can’t wait to begin a brand new chapter in my profession,” Anderson stated.
“I nonetheless really feel like I’ve loads to supply, taking wickets, making an attempt to assist the crew win video games of cricket.
“I additionally suppose that I can convey loads to the crew off the sphere and assist these younger gamers who want to develop their skillset and go on and characterize their nation.”
Anderson revealed he was “unhappy” and “fairly shocked” after studying of Lancashire’s resolution to not provide him a brand new contract as a part of a squad rebuild, regardless of main the aspect and claiming 50 Championship wickets over the last marketing campaign, by which they completed second-bottom of Division Two.
Talking on a particular episode of his Tailenders podcast Anderson, who will flip 45 halfway via subsequent season, added: “There was a little bit of emotion in that few days.
“I used to be actually acutely aware on not making a choice primarily based on that emotion, in order that’s why I’ve taken just a few weeks to attempt to get my forward round all the things and determine what one of the best ways ahead is.
“Going from pondering I may not play cricket once more to having this chance – I’m correctly buzzing for it.
“I’m not doing this for a send-off. That’s not the explanation I’ve signed for Surrey.
It’s the possibility to play in Division One once more, which I haven’t carried out for just a few years. I simply thought it was a very thrilling problem to attempt to tackle.
“Discovering a membership that wishes me and has that very same motivation to win trophies – I simply wish to be part of one thing.”
PICTURE: Richard Sellers/PA
Nonetheless among the best
Anderson performed 16 of his 188 Take a look at matches at The Oval, and it was on that floor the place he dismissed India’s Mohammed Shami in 2018 to overtake Glenn McGrath’s tally of 563 wickets and grow to be essentially the most prolific seamer in Take a look at cricket historical past.
Anderson, who has taken 1,193 first-class wickets, had additionally made his Take a look at match debut alongside Surrey’s director of cricket Alec Stewart in 2003.
“Jimmy brings high quality with the ball. His 50 championship wickets final season show that he’s nonetheless among the best bowlers within the nation,” stated Stewart.
“Jimmy additionally brings a wealth of expertise to the group that each one our bowlers will study from.
“A lot of our squad have worldwide aspirations, and they’re going to study an excellent deal from coaching, taking part in and being in the identical dressing room with Jimmy.”
Surrey received the County Championship 3 times in a row between 2022-2024 however after narrowly lacking out to Nottinghamshire in 2025, then struggled in 2026 and briefly flirted with relegation.
Anderson joins a bowling assault which incorporates England internationals Gus Atkinson, Matthew Fisher and fellow new arrival Henry Crocombe.
READ MORE: Jacob Bethell knee injury flare-up rules him out of England return in Australia
