James Anderson to lead Lancashire in County Championship at age 44 next season

New Delhi: Former England pacer James Anderson will be taking up the role of a leader in his 44th year next summer, after being appointed as the skipper of the County Championship side Lancashire.

The 43-year-old legendary pacer performed the leadership role in an interim capacity on two occasions during Lancashire's 2025 campaign, but will take the role permanently to fill the slot lying vacant since the resignation of Keaton Jennings in May last year.

Despite hanging up his Test boots in July 2024 with an England record 704 wickets, Anderson looks in no mood to slow down, and the new role at the age of 44 is the latest sign of his willingness to keep going.

Anderson, who was recently conferred a knighthood, began his Lancashire career as a teenager in 2002. Last campaign, he bagged 17 first-class wickets at 25.94 in six Championship appearances.

Despite relinquishing his red-ball captaincy, Jennings will lead the side in the Vitality Blast - the T20 tournament in which Anderson shone in 2025 with 20 wickets at 16.10. Josh Bohannon will stay 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 endured a dismal Championship season in 2025, with just three wins in the County Division and failing to mount a serious challenge for a return to the top flight. Head coach Dale Benkenstein paid the price for a horror campaign.

Club legend Steven Croft, who retired at the end of 2024, was named as the head coach and has put his trust in his long-term former team-mate.