Broad criticises Lancashire's handling of Anderson contract news

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 02:20 · Archive

Stuart Broad has condemned Lancashire's decision not to renew James Anderson's contract as disrespectful.

Lancashire announced on Sunday that they would not renew the contract of James Anderson, the 44-year-old seamer who has played for the club for 26 years. Anderson was told the news at a meeting last week with new chief executive Richard Kenyon and new director of cricket Paul Farbrace, who has recently moved from Sussex.

Anderson had a strong individual season, taking 50 County Championship wickets at an average of 17 and winning the club's player of the year award. Lancashire, however, finished second bottom in Division Two of the County Championship and have struggled for several seasons. Farbrace and the club's leadership decided they want to rebuild the squad for future success without Anderson.

Stuart Broad, who partnered Anderson in England's bowling attack for a generation until his own retirement at the end of 2023, has strongly criticised the decision and the way it was handled. Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, Broad said the club was "pretty disrespectful" and that "it was not done in the right way". He argued that icons of the game deserve "a better send-off" than Anderson received.

Broad also questioned the timing and planning of the announcement, which came in October after the season had ended. He suggested that better leadership at the club could have arranged for Anderson to have a proper farewell at Old Trafford and a planned send-off with fans. "It shows a lack of leadership at that club," Broad said.

Anderson released a statement on social media confirming that his Lancashire departure was not what he wanted and that if it had been up to him, "it would not have ended like this". At a meeting with club members on Monday, Lancashire said they would look into arranging Anderson a farewell. Broad suggested that if Anderson wanted to play another year, the club should have found a way to accommodate him given his performance.

How it is being reported

• Stuart Broad hits out at 'disrespectful' Lancashire over James Anderson treatmentJames Anderson was told by Lancashire that he would not be offered a new contractIndependent Sport · 27 Oct, 21:07
• Broad blasts Lancashire's 'disrespectful' decision to not renew Anderson's contractStuart Broad has blasted Lancashire's decision to not renew James Anderson's contract as "disrespectful".Sky Sports · 27 Oct, 18:43
• Lancashire treatment of Anderson disrespectful - BroadLancashire have been "pretty disrespectful" in their treatment of legendary bowler James Anderson, says his long-time England bowler partner Stuart Broad.BBC News · 27 Oct, 17:47

In this story: James Anderson · Stuart Broad · Lancashire · Paul Farbrace · Richard Kenyon · Sussex · Old Trafford

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