by James Anderson is set to restart his Lancashire career at the age of 42 this summer, with a new deal with the county taking priority over his coaching job with England.
Anderson has not played since his emotional farewell to Test cricket at Lord’s in July, but had repeatedly suggested he had unfinished business after being pushed out the exit door by the England management.
He remained unsold after putting his name forward at the last Indian Premier League auction, but has agreed to wear the Red Rose again this summer, lacing up his bowling boots in the County Championship Second Division. Rothesay.
He also agreed to feature in Vitality Blast, 11 years after his previous T20 outing.
Anderson will be 43 during the campaign and has spent long periods since leaving England acting as a fast bowling consultant with the Test team, but is ready to pick up where he left off with Lancashire, having taken seven for 35 in his previous appearance for the club last year.
And that means putting his role as mentor on Brendon McCullum’s team on the back burner. He will feature in the Champions Trophy next month but is likely to play a much smaller role during the England season.
“As much as I enjoy coaching work – and I still want to do it – we’ll see how it fits this summer. I’ll play as much as I really can,” he said on his Tailenders podcast.
“I made the decision that I wanted to commit to playing and I’m not going to say, ‘I’ll play games here and there.’ I really want to try.
“I don’t want to bother anyone and I don’t think it would be fair to Lancashire if I just pop in and out, so that will take precedence over anything else this summer.
“I can’t come back to cricket in three years and say, ‘actually, I want to start playing again’.
“Although I have been a Lancashire player, I have not been an integral part of this team for several years.”
Announcing his return in a statement released by Lancashire, Anderson said: “This club has played a huge part in my life since I was a teenager, so to have the opportunity to wear the Red Rose again and help the team in red and white. Ball cricket is one I’m really looking forward to.
“I love playing at Emirates Old Trafford and having the chance to come out and play in front of our members and supporters again this summer will be really special.”
Anderson told the PA news agency last year that he harbored “plots” about trying out for the Hundred and could still make himself available for that tournament too.
The news will be warmly welcomed by his Lancashire teammates, desperate to bounce back into the top flight, but it is likely to strike worry in the hearts of second-tier hitters across the country.
Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, Mark Chilton, a long-time teammate of Anderson, said: “It is fantastic news for everyone connected with the club that he has chosen to continue his playing career in Lancashire.
“Speaking to Jimmy recently, it became clear that his desire to return to playing professional cricket was growing stronger every day and that he was just desperate to get back on the park.
“While we all recognize that he will have other opportunities, he has made it clear that acting is his first priority.
“Being able to share a dressing room with England’s all-time greatest wicket-taker and one of cricket’s greatest players is incredible for our team and I have no doubt that our members and supporters – and cricket fans around the world whole – will be just as excited to see Jimmy in action for Lancashire next summer.
