England fast bowling legend James Anderson has revealed that he will not be pursuing a contract in The Hundred this season. The veteran pacer said he did not enjoy his experience in the tournament last year and wants to focus on county cricket with Lancashire.
Anderson, who retired from international cricket in 2024, is now concentrating on leading Lancashire and staying fit for red-ball cricket.
Anderson’s Experience in The Hundred
Last season, James Anderson was selected as a Vitality Wildcard for Manchester Originals in The Hundred. He played three matches during the tournament.
During those games, Anderson picked up two wickets but had an economy rate of 10.92. Despite the opportunity to play in the competition, he decided not to enter the auction for the new season.
Anderson explained that he wanted to experience the tournament once but did not enjoy it enough to continue playing in it.
Anderson’s Performance in The Hundred and T20 Blast
Below is a quick look at Anderson’s recent performances in domestic T20 competitions.
| Competition | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Hundred | 3 | 2 | 10.92 | Played for Manchester Originals as wildcard |
| T20 Blast | 11 | 20 | 7.85 | Lancashire reached Finals Day |
While his performance in The Hundred was modest, Anderson had a strong campaign in the T20 Blast.
Strong T20 Blast Season for Lancashire
After retiring from international cricket, Anderson returned to domestic cricket and played T20 matches for Lancashire in the 2025 T20 Blast.
He appeared in 11 matches and took 20 wickets with an economy rate of 7.85. His performances helped Lancashire reach Finals Day in the tournament.
However, Lancashire’s campaign ended in the semi-final where they lost to Somerset.
New Role as Lancashire Captain
For the upcoming season, James Anderson has been appointed as Lancashire’s red-ball captain.
He had already led the team in five matches during the previous season. With the new responsibility, Anderson wants to focus mainly on four-day cricket and maintain his fitness.
He explained that being captain means he must prepare well for the longer format of the game.
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Anderson’s Long Career with Lancashire
James Anderson made his debut for Lancashire in 2000 and has been associated with the club for more than two decades.
The upcoming season will mark his 27th year with the county team.
At the end of the 2025 season, Anderson signed a one-year contract extension with Lancashire. The deal allows him to continue playing professional cricket even after turning 44.
He also confirmed that he plans to play in the T20 Blast again this year.
Anderson joked that when The Hundred tournament takes place, he will probably be enjoying a holiday while focusing on his county commitments.
Although The Hundred continues to grow as a competition, Anderson has made it clear that his priority is Lancashire and red-ball cricket.
With captaincy responsibilities and a long domestic season ahead, the veteran pacer wants to stay fit and help his team perform well in county cricket.
Fans will now see him leading Lancashire and continuing his remarkable cricket journey.
