England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker, Sir James Anderson, will continue his career in 2027 after agreeing a deal to join Surrey at the Kia Oval. The 44-year-old had been released by Lancashire at the end of the 2026 season, despite captaining the county for two seasons and taking 50 Championship wickets in the last campaign, when Lancashire finished second-bottom of Division Two.

Anderson, who turns 45 in July, has taken 704 Test wickets in 188 matches, sitting third on the all-time list of Test bowlers, and his 991 international wickets are an England record and a record for all pace bowlers. He has taken 1,193 first-class wickets overall. He was forced into international retirement by England in the summer of 2024 before returning to play for Lancashire.S3S1

Anderson said he was "sad" and "quite shocked" by Lancashire's decision, adding that he had taken a few weeks to make a considered decision rather than one driven by emotion. He said he was not signing for Surrey for a send-off but wanted to join a club with the same motivation to win trophies, and that he still felt he had a lot to offer on the field and off it in helping younger players develop.S1S3

Surrey's director of cricket Alec Stewart, who was in the England team when Anderson made his Test debut, said Anderson still brings quality with the ball and a wealth of experience that the squad's bowlers would learn from. Anderson's contract is a red-ball only deal with no official coaching element, although he said he would play white-ball cricket if required. Surrey have said the deal is for the 2027 season, though it is understood he could play on beyond next year.S1S3

Lancashire's new director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, made the decision to release Anderson as part of a squad rebuild. Anderson has not yet decided whether to relocate his wife and two daughters from their home in Cheshire.S3