James Anderson named as Lancashire's Championship captain

James Anderson will be taking on a new responsibility in his 44th year next summer, after being appointed as Lancashire's full-time captain for their County Championship campaign.

Anderson, 43, stepped in as an interim captain on two occasions during Lancashire's 2025 campaign, but has now been named as their permanent four-day captain, following the resignation of Keaton Jennings in May last year.

Despite retiring from Test cricket in July 2024 with an England record 704 Test wickets to his name, and subsequently being conferred a knighthood, Anderson has shown no sign of winding up a Lancashire career that began as a teenager in 2002. In last year's Championship campaign, he claimed 17 first-class wickets at 25.94 in six appearances.

Jennings will stay on as captain for the Vitality Blast - a format in which Anderson excelled in 2025, claiming 20 wickets at 16.10 in the club's progression to Finals Day - while Josh Bohannon will remain as the club vice-captain following his appointment to the role in 2024.

"Captaining Lancashire for the first time last season was a huge privilege, and I'm honoured to take on the role full-time heading into the new season," Anderson said.

"We've got a fantastic group of players, a great blend of youth and experience, and I'm excited about what we can achieve together with promotion back to Division One our number one priority."

Lancashire's disappointing Championship season in 2025 created significant upheaval within the club, with head coach Dale Benkenstein also paying the price for their failure to push for a return to the top flight.

Steven Croft, the Lancashire veteran who retired at the end of 2024, was subsequently appointed as head coach, and has invested his faith in his long-term former team-mate.

"I'm grateful for the support from Crofty, and from my teammates," Anderson added, "and I'm looking forward to leading the side into the new County Championship season in April."

Croft added: "Jimmy is an outstanding leader whose influence on the squad is immense. His experience in cricket is second to none, and the way he stepped into the captaincy during the second half of last season showed exactly why he's the right person for the job.

"He also leads the way with his performances on the field and his commitment and dedication to training and living the right lifestyle sets the perfect standard for the rest of the dressing room.

"With Jimmy as captain and Josh continuing as vice-captain, we have a strong, stable leadership team that will drive our ambitions in the County Championship next season."

Lancashire open their Championship campaign away to Northamptonshire on Friday, April 3, before facing Derbyshire at Emirates Old Trafford the following week.