James Anderson has been confirmed as Lancashire’s full-time County Championship captain ahead of the 2026 season, following his interim leadership during two periods in 2025. The veteran fast bowler’s appointment follows the resignation of Keaton Jennings in May 2025, marking a new chapter for the team’s leadership.
Anderson, 43, remains dedicated to Lancashire despite stepping away from Test cricket in 2024. He retired with a record 704 Test wickets and was awarded a knighthood, but his commitment to the county side is undiminished. In the 2025 season, Anderson took 17 first-class wickets at an average of 25.94 across six matches, demonstrating his ongoing value on the field.
The leadership change is part of a wider response to Lancashire’s disappointing 2025 Championship campaign. The club made significant adjustments, including the departure of head coach Dale Benkenstein and the appointment of former player Steven Croft as the new head coach. Anderson steps into the captaincy with a clear objective.
“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.”
In addition to Anderson’s appointment, Josh Bohannon will continue as vice-captain, maintaining the leadership structure first introduced in 2024. Keaton Jennings remains captain for the Vitality Blast competition. Anderson, meanwhile, was a key contributor in the 2025 Vitality Blast with 20 wickets at an average of 16.10.
Steven Croft, who recently retired as a player and became head coach, expressed his confidence in Anderson’s leadership abilities.
“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.”
Anderson’s dual role in both the County Championship and the Vitality Blast reflects his continued dedication to Lancashire. His on-field contributions during 2025 reinforced his influence and reliability, despite his recent international retirement.
Lancashire’s 2026 County Championship campaign begins on April 3 with an away match against Northamptonshire, followed by a home fixture against Derbyshire. These matches will be the first test of the new leadership team’s efforts to achieve immediate promotion back to Division One.
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