James Anderson in talks to extend Lancashire county cricket deal into 24th season aged 42 | Cricket News

Lancashire are in talks to extend James Anderson’s county football career into a 24th season.

Anderson, the most prolific fast bowler in Test history and England’s leading wicket-taker, has not played since his retirement from international duty last July.

He has since worked for England as a bowling consultant, but the 42-year-old has expressed his desire to continue playing.

The PA news agency understands that Lancashire has held talks with Anderson about extending his stay in the county, and further talks are scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.

Anderson played his 188th and final Test against the West Indies at Lord’s last summer, ending a remarkable England career with 704 Test wickets at 26.45.

He considered getting into franchise cricket, and put himself up for the IPL auction in November where he went unsold.

Anderson made his debut for Lancashire in 2002 and helped them win the County Championship in 2011.

Lancashire were relegated from the County Championship first division last season and will play second-class cricket in the summer.

Anderson returned figures of 7-35 in his solitary appearance for Lancashire in 2024, against Nottinghamshire at Southport in June.

He has not played any white-ball cricket since 2019 and his last T20 match was in 2014.

An agreement has not yet been reached for Anderson to continue in the England squad next summer, although he has been working with the England and Wales Cricket Board this winter.

England begin their summer Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge on May 22 before embarking on a five-Test series with India.