Anderson returns to competitive cricket; will play for county team Lancashire

Legendary England pacer James Anderson is all set to feature in competitive cricket for Lancashire after retiring from international cricket, according to a release from the cricket club.

Anderson`s last international appearance was 10 months ago during a Test match against West Indies at the Lord`s Cricket Ground.

James Anderson has been named in Lancashire`s 14-man squad for the Rothesay County Championship clash against Derbyshire at the Emirates Old Trafford. The match is scheduled to start on May 17.

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Earlier, the 42-year-old pacer suffered a calf injury, which kept him on the sidelines for the five matches of the season. He is not set to make his first appearance for Lancashire Cricket Club. This will also mark his first appearance after drawing curtains on the longest format of the game.

Anderson`s last appearance for Lancashire came in July, on the eve of his 188th and final Test, when he claimed first-innings figures of 7 for 35 against Nottinghamshire at Southport.

The match will be Australian Marcus Harris` first as interim captain after Keaton Jennings stood down as four-day skipper on Tuesday. Harris is the leading run scorer across both divisions of the Rothesay County Championship with 749.

Tom Aspinwall remains unavailable after suffering a side strain in the opening match of the season at Lord`s. Derbyshire are unbeaten after five games, winning one and drawing the other four. They are sitting on 74 points, 21 behind league leaders Leicestershire (95).

The Lancashire squad includes Marcus Harris (c), James Anderson, Tom Bailey, George Balderson, George Bell, Josh Bohannon, Tom Hartley, Matty Hurst, Keaton Jennings, Michael Jones, Anderson Phillip, Ollie Sutton, Luke Wells, Will Williams.

James Anderson`s return to county cricket comes after he ended his career with 704 Test wickets, which is the most by any England bowler, and the most by any pacer in the history of the format.

He played 188 Tests, ending his England career with a final match against the West Indies at Lord`s in July 2024. His journey began at the same ground back in May 2003, when he made his debut against Zimbabwe.

(With ANI Inputs)

This article first appeared on Mid Day