Michael Atherton sees no issue with Lancashire's handling of James Anderson's release from the county - but would have been tempted to hand the veteran seam bowler a new contract. Anderson, 44, bagged 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in the County Championship during a 2026 season in which Lancashire finished second bottom of Division Two under his captaincy. Anderson was informed in a meeting with the Red Rose hierarchy that he would not be offered a new deal at a county he first represented in a first-class match in 2002, with new director of cricket Paul Farbrace wanting to build an attack for the future.
Listen to Nasser Hussain, Michael Atherton and guests dissect the game's big talking points. The decision came a little over two years after the fast bowler was retired by England against his wishes, with his final Test coming against West Indies at Lord's in July 2024. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, alongside co-host in Nasser Hussain who had questioned the way Lancashire dispensed with Anderson's services, Atherton said: "I think you can argue about the merits of the decision as he was Lancashire's best bowler by a country mile last season.
"Forget age, young or old, if you are good enough, you are good enough, so you can make a perfectly good argument he should still be leading that Lancashire attack. "Where I disagree with some of the comment elsewhere is that it has not been handled well, both by England and Lancashire. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "When somebody like Paul Farbrace comes in as director of cricket at Lancashire, or in England's case Rob Key, when they've decided to move on, how do you do that?
"In both instances, Anderson was told face-to-face. It wasn't done behind his back. Jimmy wasn't expecting [his Lancashire release], it took him by surprise, but it was face-to-face.
"They told him the rationale and then when the members meeting was held, I think Farbrace was abroad, but he dialled in and didn't hide behind the decision. He took full accountability for it. "So I don't think you can say it's been handled badly.
"I thought England were right to move on at the stage that they did but Lancashire, if I'd have been in that position, I might have tried to get a season out of him next year." Anderson is poised to play in the Italia T10 League in Rome later this month, having also been named as co-owner for Napoli Knights. Speaking publicly for the first time since his departure from Old Trafford, on BBC podcast Tailenders, Anderson said he had not yet decided whether he would extend his county career. He replied "wouldn't have thought so" when asked whether he could see himself turning out for Lancashire's fierce rivals Yorkshire.
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