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England great Anderson asks what's 'wrong with me?' after Lancashire exit / Photo: © AFP/File
England great Anderson asks what's 'wrong with me?' after Lancashire exit
James Anderson has revealed how his exit from Lancashire left him questioning if there is "something fundamentally wrong with me as a person" as the England great weighs up whether to extend his remarkable career.
Lancashire finished second bottom of the County Championship last season under Anderson's captaincy despite the 44-year-old paceman taking an excellent 50 wickets in 11 matches at a miserly average of 17.68.
But Lancashire's incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace, together with new chief executive Richard Kenyon, informed Anderson in a meeting last week his contract would not be renewed for 2027.
The county's decision is reminiscent of the end of Anderson's celebrated England career two years ago, when he was effectively forced into international retirement after director of cricket Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes made clear their intention to move on from the veteran quick.
Anderson bowed out from Test cricket with 704 wickets, the most by a fast bowler in the five-day format.
"It feels very similar," Anderson told his Tailenders podcast when comparing the end of his England and Lancashire careers.
"I finished the season thinking 'was it something I did? Was I doing something wrong?'. And then I get told this news and now I'm thinking it even more.
"I'm thinking 'this is happening again, is there something fundamentally wrong with me as a person?'. Your head just races and I didn't know what to make of it for a good week. You're thinking 'I'm never going to play cricket again'."
Asked if he would continue his first-class career with another county next season, Anderson replied: "I'm still trying to process everything and weigh up what the best way forward for me is, really."
Anderson's treatment has angered many Lancashire members, with his longstanding England new-ball colleague Stuart Broad calling it "disrespectful".
Anderson, while "excited about the future", said: "I am sad the way it ended with the club I supported as a kid.
"I was born there, grew up watching them, had some of my most memorable days out with dad watching them, got to play for them and captain the club, which is something most people dream about.
"I feel like I have a special connection with the club and will always support them."
F.Garcia--SFF
