James Anderson will play for Surrey in the 2027 County Championship after agreeing a move that extends his professional career beyond his 45th birthday.
Surrey announced the signing on Thursday, confirming the former England fast bowler will join for next season. The move follows Lancashire’s decision not to offer him a new contract after a 25-year association with the county, BBC Sport reported.
For Anderson, this is a new domestic chapter rather than a return to international cricket. He played his final Test for England against West Indies in 2024.
Fifty wickets make the case for playing on
Anderson, 44, arrives with recent performances to support the signing. Surrey said he took 50 Championship wickets in 2026 at an average of just under 18 while captaining Lancashire.
That gives the move a practical purpose beyond the name on the team sheet. Surrey are adding a bowler who continued taking wickets last season, as well as someone whose experience can help younger players preparing for longer careers in first-class cricket.
“I still feel like I have a lot to offer, taking wickets, trying to help the team win games of cricket,” Anderson said in Surrey’s announcement. He also spoke about helping younger players develop and work towards representing their country.
Stewart looks to the whole bowling group
Surrey director of men’s cricket Alec Stewart pointed to both parts of the deal: Anderson’s current bowling and what other players can learn from sharing training sessions and matches with him.
Stewart said the 50 wickets showed Anderson remained one of the country’s best bowlers. He added that players with international ambitions could benefit from being in the same dressing room.
The announcement confirms the 2027 County Championship season. It does not announce an England comeback, a guaranteed appearance in every match or a contract extension beyond next year.
A familiar ground, a different shirt
The Oval already has a place in Anderson’s England career. In 2018, he bowled Mohammed Shami there for his 564th Test wicket, passing Glenn McGrath’s tally for a fast bowler.
He finished his Test career with 704 wickets. Now the challenge is different: adapting to a new county after spending his professional county career with Lancashire.
Surrey said the County Championship returns in April 2027. Anderson’s first appearance for the club and his workload will become clearer closer to the season. For now, the confirmed news is that he has found a new team and will keep bowling.
Cover photo: James Anderson fielding against India on September 11, 2018. Archival image, not his Surrey signing or a 2027 match. Photo: Ben Sutherland / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Cropped, resized and compressed.
