England great Sir James Anderson has joined Surrey ahead of the 2027 Rothesay County Championship season, continuing his career at the age of 44.
Anderson, England’s leading player of all time, was issued by the Lancashire childhood club in October after more than 25 years with the county, a decision he said left him “sad” and “quite shocked” and made him wonder if there was something “fundamentally wrong with me as a person.”
After announcing his move to the Kia Oval, Anderson said: “It’s an honor to join a club like Surrey and I’m looking forward to starting a new chapter in my career.
“I still feel like I have a lot to offer, taking wickets, trying to help the team win cricket matches.
“I also think I can bring a lot to the team off the pitch and help those young players who are looking to develop their skills and go on and represent their country.”
Anderson, who turns 45 in July next year, will have the chance to add to his tally of 1,193 first-class wickets and possibly more silverware to a glittering CV that includes four Ashes series wins and the 2010 T20 World Cup in the Caribbean.
The Burnley-born player took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in the County Championship Division Two for Lancashire in 2026.
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Check out Jimmy Anderson’s last wicket for Lancashire in September, where he finished with three wickets in Kent’s first innings.
His exit from Old Trafford came as the hierarchy, including new director of cricket Paul Farbrace, plotted to build an attack for the future after a couple of poor seasons in red-ball cricket.
Anderson captained Lancashire last season as the county finished bottom of the second tier, ahead of only Gloucestershire.
Surrey have won the county championship on 22 occasions, including three in a row from 2022 to 2024. They were runners-up in 2025 but had a disappointing 2026 campaign in which they finished seventh.
Surrey Men’s Cricket Director Alec Stewart said: “We are delighted to bring someone of Sir James Anderson’s caliber to Surrey.
“Jimmy brings quality with the ball. His 50 Championship wickets last season prove he is still one of the best players in the country.
“Jimmy also brings a wealth of experience to the group that all our players will learn from. Most of our squad have international aspirations and they will learn a lot from training, playing and being in the same dressing room with Jimmy.”
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Nasser Hussain and Kumar Sangakkara give their thoughts on Lancashire deciding not to renew Jimmy Anderson’s contract.
Anderson – who is set to play in the Italia T10 for Napoli Knights later this month – forced to retire from England in 2024.
He took four wickets in his last Test, against the West Indies at Lord’s, to finish with 704 wickets in 188 matches in the longest format, at an average of 26.45.
He is the most prolific pace bowler in Test history, with only Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Australian spinner Shane Warne (708) taking more wickets.
Anderson’s career timeline
May 2002 – Anderson makes first-class debut for Lancashire; takes his first first-class wicket in May, dismissing Ian Ward.
December 15, 2002 – Anderson makes his ODI debut for England against Australia in Melbourne, aged 20.
February-March 2003 – Anderson was selected in England’s squad for the 2003 Cricket World Cup, producing a winning spell against Pakistan. England lose to eventual champions Australia.
May 2003 – Anderson becomes the youngest player to score a hat-trick in Lancashire history – the first at Old Trafford for eight years.
May 22, 2003 – Anderson makes Test debut for England against Zimbabwe at Lord’s, still 20. Takes five wickets in an innings on his debut.
August 2003 – Anderson unanimously voted England Young Cricketer of the Year.
September 2003 – Anderson submitted the central contract with the ECB.
July 2005 – After a spell out of the England squad, Anderson retires for the final Test of Ashes series but fails to make the squad.
September-December 2006 – After a stress fracture in his back and six months out, Anderson returns to England for the Ashes series in a 5-0 defeat at the end of 2006.
January 2007 – Anderson plays in his first T20 International, playing for England against Australia in Sydney.
2009 – Anderson has been named one of five Wisden Cricketers of the Year after a standout Test series against the Ashes in 2009.
September 2011 – Anderson helps Lancashire win County Championship title.
July 2014 – Batting at No.11, Anderson makes 81 against India, his highest Test total
March 2015 – Anderson plays his last ODI for England against Afghanistan in Sydney.
April 2015 – Against West Indies, Anderson becomes England’s Test record with his 384th dismissal.
July 25, 2016 – Anderson becomes the first fast bowler to take 50 wickets against all seven other major Test playing nations, Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
December 26, 2019 – Anderson becomes the ninth cricketer to play in 150 Test matches.
January 5, 2020 – Anderson takes his 28th five-wicket haul in Test cricket, surpassing Ian Botham’s England record.
March 9, 2024 – Anderson becomes only the third player in history to reach 700 career Test wickets
July 2024 – Anderson announces international retirement after playing his 188th and final Test match for England against West Indies at Lord’s.
April 2025 – Knight | Appointed a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his services to cricket.
2025-2026 – Lancashire captain and contract. Made a brief return to T20 cricket, signed a one-year extension and was named red-ball captain of Lancashire for the 2026 County Championship season.
October 2026 – Anderson leaves Lancashire after contract not renewed
November 2026 – Joins Surrey ahead of the 2027 County Championship season
