James Anderson does not usually speak to create controversies. He is a level-headed guy, respecting the game, which has made him one of the greatest ever. However, his admission to the Hundred tournament is something that stands out.
Looking back at his brief stint in The Hundred last season, the England great did not try to dress it up. He literally said that he hated every minute he was part of it.
He had signed for Manchester Originals, the franchise based in Lancashire. On paper, it looked like a neat extension of his red-ball legacy into a shorter format. In reality, it did not click. The rhythm was different, the demands were unfamiliar and at 43, Anderson was honest enough to accept it was not something he needed to force.
“It was a mixture of hating every minute of The Hundred last year, if I can say that,” he admitted. It summed up his experience of a format that he never felt good playing. “When The Hundred’s on, I’m hopefully going to be on holiday somewhere.” Anderson made a surprise debut in the competition last year as a Vitality Wildcard pick for the Manchester Originals.
The numbers do not say much. Three games, two wickets, an economy touching 11. For someone who had just picked up 17 wickets in the early phase of the T20 Blast to earn that wildcard call, it was a quiet tournament. But for Anderson, it was less about returns and more about comfort. Or the lack of it.
Lancashire ambition take priority for Anderson
Instead, Anderson’s focus is back where it has always been strongest. Red-ball cricket. Now the captain of Lancashire’s four-day side, he is clear about what matters this season. “Especially being captain this year, I think it’s really important that I focus on being as fit as I can be for the four-day stuff. I want to play in the Blast as well again,” he said.
Anderson’s plan is now to remain fit, play all the games and guide Lancashire to the first division of County Championship. It is a challenge that has clearly reignited something in him. Lancashire had a turbulent season last year, with changes in leadership and coaching. Anderson stepping in as captain brings both stability and expectation.
At 43, he is also realistic about the physical demands. The schedule, in his own words, is “absolutely crazy”. Managing workload is a no-brainer. That is where skipping The Hundred fits in. For a player who has spent over two decades redefining longevity, this is just another adjustment. Strip away what does not serve the bigger goal, and double down on what still does.
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