Legendary England fast bowler James Anderson is all set to make a much-anticipated return to competitive cricket on Friday as Lancashire take on Derbyshire in the County Championship at Old Trafford. This marks Anderson’s first professional appearance since his emotional farewell Test match at Lord's in June 2024 against the West Indies.
With 704 Test wickets under his belt, Anderson remains the most successful fast bowler in the history of red-ball cricket and the top wicket-taker for England. Following his retirement from international cricket at the age of 42, he transitioned into a coaching role as a bowling consultant with the England national team. However, Anderson has consistently stated that he still has more to contribute on the field.
Earlier this year, Anderson signed a one-year extension with his home county Lancashire but missed the first five games of the 2025 County Championship season due to a calf injury. His return to the squad could not be more timely, as Lancashire finds itself at the bottom of the Second Division standings, still searching for their first win of the season. The team's recent poor form even led to the resignation of Keaton Jennings as captain.
Lancashire will hope that Anderson's experience and leadership can inspire a turnaround in fortunes. His inclusion in the lineup is expected to bring stability and skill to a struggling bowling attack. Elsewhere in county cricket, England pacer Brydon Carse is also on the comeback trail. After impressive performances during winter tours of Pakistan and New Zealand, Carse was sidelined by a painful toe injury. He has now rejoined the Durham squad for their First Division clash against league leaders Nottinghamshire. With a five-Test home series against India beginning June 20, England's selectors will closely monitor Carse’s return to form and fitness.
In another development, rising wicketkeeper-batsman James Rew is set to feature for Somerset in their match against Sussex. Despite being part of England's squad for the upcoming one-off Test against Zimbabwe, Rew has been released to play domestic cricket. The 21-year-old was called up as cover for the injured Jordan Cox and may still make his Test debut if further withdrawals occur. As county cricket heats up, England’s selectors will be watching these performances carefully, especially with a high-profile home summer against India just weeks away. For James Anderson, the return to Lancashire colours is not just a comeback but a statement that his cricketing journey still has a few chapters left.
