James Anderson ready to lift rock-bottom Lancashire in comeback

James Anderson is ready to make his professional comeback, ten months on from his final Test appearance against West Indies at Lord's last year, after recovering from the calf injury that prevented his involvement in Lancashire's first five Rothesay County Championship matches of the season.

Anderson, who turns 43 in July, has been named in the club's 14-man squad for their four-day clash with Derbyshire, and barring late setbacks, is expected to take his place in their final XI at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday morning.

His inclusion is a timely boost for a club that sits rock-bottom of Division Two after a dreadful start to their campaign, which this week resulted in the resignation of Keaton Jennings as captain. Dale Benkenstein, the head coach, is hopeful that Anderson's unrivalled experience will help to steer the side back to better fortunes.

"We obviously get a bit of a boost with Jimmy Anderson being available," Benkenstein told Lancs TV. "He's worked so hard, and he's an amazing professional at his age. And what he's achieved, the work that he's put in to get back and ready for this game, is amazing. So it'll be fantastic to have him back in the team."

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.

"We know what he's going to bring, but it is his first game back for a while," Benkenstein said. "But that experience, you can't have a more Lancashire through-and-through player. So to have that on the field is invaluable, as we have missed it over the beginning of the season. It's great to have him back."

Since retiring with a national-record 704 Test wickets to his name, Anderson has been working as a bowling consultant with the England squad, but has stepped back from that role this summer, with New Zealand's Tim Southee set to link up with the Test squad next week in a similar role.

Anderson's desire to keep playing was epitomised by his unsuccessful bids for selection at both the IPL auction and the Hundred draft. However, he has signed an multi-format deal for Lancashire, and if his body holds up, he is likely to play his first T20 match in more than a decade when the T20 Blast commences later this month.

The Derbyshire match also promises to be Anderson's first on-field appearance since he was knighted in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours last month.

His return will help to change the narrative for Lancashire, whose club hierarchy were moved to issue a public apology following their three-day defeat to Northamptonshire last week that left them rooted to the foot of the table.

Since then, a new captain has been appointed - former Ashes rival Marcus Harris, whom Anderson dismissed twice in three Test appearances on the 2021-22 tour of Australia.

Harris, however, has been a rare source of comfort for Lancashire this summer, scoring 749 runs at 83.22 including three hundreds.

"Marcus is a very established cricketer and a very experienced person, and I feel like he understands where we are right now," Benkenstein said. "I'm hoping that fresh pair of eyes gives us that spark we need.

"As we all know, most Australians have that inner confidence. The way he is playing as well just helps.

"A huge thank you to Keats," Benkenstein added. "He's one of the most amazing men you'll ever meet. Having been a captain myself, you understand the pressures and the weight it has on you, especially in county cricket with the weight of cricket."