‘If it was up to me...’: England icon breaks silence on brutal axing as Ashes foe slams ‘wasted opportunity’

England legend Jimmy Anderson has been culled by his boyhood county, Lancashire, but the 44-year-old pace bowler is yet to call it quits on his 25-year professional career.

Anderson, who captained the county based at Manchester’s Old Trafford this year, was told last week that Lancashire would be moving forward without him.

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He then took to Instagram on Sunday to confirms the reports that had been circulating in the English press.

“I’ve supported Lancashire since I was kid, and so to get to play for them for 25 years was a dream come true,” Anderson said.

“I have always found it special walking out to play at Old Trafford and have some incredible memories of doing so including the honour of being captain - if it was up to me it wouldn’t have ended like this, but I wish the players and fans all the best for the future.”

The decision by Lancashire bares similarities to the England hierarchy pushing Anderson into retirement from Test cricket in 2024.

That call was made by managing director Rob Key, since retired captain Ben Stokes and former Test coach Brendon McCullum with an eye to last summer’s Ashes series in Australia.

Anderson was given a farewell Test at Lord’s against the West Indies in 2024, but there will be no farewell from the county for which he debuted in 2001 and who renamed the Pavilion End at Old Trafford the James Anderson End in 2017.

Lancashire have been at odds with an influential group of past players in recent times - which includes the likes of former England captain Michael Atherton and former England player and coach David Lloyd.

The decision has reportedly been unpopular with those already disheartened with the county - who finished second last in Division Two this year.

Particularly, because the veteran showed few signs of slowing down on the field as he took 50 wickets at 17.68 in 11 four-day matches this year.

As a result, the BBC reported: “It is understood clubs in both divisions of the County Championship would be interested in negotiating with Anderson and some have already reached out.”

One of Anderson’s old Ashes foes weighed in, suggesting his belief that a county would be made not to snap up the veteran.

“Imagine having world class in your team and not using it,” former Australian batter Usman Khawaja wrote on Instagram.

“Young players in county only get better playing with and against that. It’s how you speed up their growth and show them what they need to aim for. What a wasted opportunity.”

Lancashire’s hierarchy, however, revealed their view that Anderson did not fit into their plans to rebuild the struggling team.

“Jimmy is without doubt the greatest bowler Lancashire and England have produced. He has been a fantastic competitor throughout his career, with exceptional skill and an unwavering commitment to setting the highest standards in every dressing room he has been part of,” Lancashire’s incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace said following confirmation of Anderson’s departure.

“Following a meeting with Jimmy and (new chief executive) Richard Kenyon at Emirates Old Trafford on Monday 19 October, I spoke to Jimmy about our ambitions to rebuild our men’s squad that is capable of securing promotion from Division Two of the County Championship and then challenging to win Division One over the next three to four years.

“We are keen to begin that rebuild now, both in terms of the playing squad and the wider professional cricket set-up, and to make important progress over the coming months. As part of those plans, I informed Jimmy that we had taken the incredibly difficult decision not to extend his playing contract for the 2027 season.

“I would like to thank Jimmy for everything he has given to Lancashire Cricket over the course of his career. His contribution to the Club has been immense, both on and off the field, and he leaves a lasting legacy. We have enormous respect for what he has achieved, and we will always be proud that he has represented Lancashire for so many years.”