Michael Atherton has defended Lancashire’s approach to James Anderson‘s departure, arguing that the club managed the bowler’s exit with transparency and respect. Anderson, who claimed 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in the County Championship during 2026 while captaining Lancashire’s red-ball side, will not receive a new contract for 2027. The Red Rose finished second bottom of Division Two that season, and new director of cricket Paul Farbrace has signalled his intention to build an attack focused on the future.
Atherton acknowledged Anderson’s exceptional performance last season while addressing the broader circumstances of his release. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Atherton stated that Anderson was Lancashire’s standout bowler by a considerable margin in 2026, yet the club’s decision to move forward without him reflects Farbrace’s strategic direction for the county.
Atherton emphasised that both England and Lancashire handled Anderson’s departure with direct communication. He explained that Anderson was informed in a meeting with club hierarchy, ensuring the bowler received the news personally rather than through indirect channels. Atherton noted that while Anderson was surprised by the decision, the manner in which it was conveyed demonstrated respect for his 25-year association with the club, which began in 2002.
“Forget age, young or old, if you are good enough, you are good enough, so you can make a perfectly good argument he should still be leading that Lancashire attack. Where I disagree with some of the comment elsewhere is that it has not been handled well, both by England and Lancashire. When somebody like Paul Farbrace comes in as director of cricket at Lancashire, or in England’s case Rob Key, when they’ve decided to move on, how do you do that?,” said Atherton in the above mentioned source.
“In both instances, Anderson was told face-to-face. It wasn’t done behind his back. Jimmy wasn’t expecting [his Lancashire release], it took him by surprise, but it was face-to-face. They told him the rationale and then when the members meeting was held, I think Farbrace was abroad, but he dialled in and didn’t hide behind the decision. He took full accountability for it. So I don’t think you can say it’s been handled badly. I thought England were right to move on at the stage that they did but Lancashire, if I’d have been in that position, I might have tried to get a season out of him next year,” he added.
What happens next for Anderson?
Anderson, now 44 years old, has not yet committed to extending his county career beyond Lancashire. He is set to feature in the Italia T10 League in Rome later this month and has been named as co-owner for Napoli Knights. When asked whether he could see himself playing for Yorkshire, Anderson replied that he would not have thought so, leaving his immediate future uncertain as he considers his options following his departure from Old Trafford.
