County Championship: 42-year-old England pacer set for his first appearance since Test retirement

James Anderson, the 42-year-old England cricket legend who retired from Test cricket in July 2023 with 704 wickets, has been named in Lancashire's 14-strong squad. Anderson, who recently received a knighthood in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list, joins former England teammates Tom Hartley and Keaton Jennings, along with former Australian player Marcus Harris.Anderson's retirement from Test cricket came after a discussion with captain Ben Stokes and head coach Brendon McCullum, who indicated he would not feature in their plans beyond the summer's opening game, despite his continued excellence into his forties.Lancashire currently sits at the bottom of Division Two in the County Championship after five games without a win. The team has struggled despite having strong positions in games, notably losing to Northamptonshire.The club has undergone recent leadership changes, with Keaton Jennings stepping down as captain and Marcus Harris taking over as interim captain. The club's hierarchy has issued an apology to fans while maintaining support for head coach Dale Benkenstein.Quiz: Who's that IPL player?Despite their current position, Lancashire remains within striking distance of the top teams. A victory would put them level with second-placed Derbyshire in terms of win/loss/draw ratio.Anderson's record with Lancashire has been remarkable, with 376 first-class wickets at an average of 21.32. His only appearance in the 2024 season showcased his enduring skill, taking 7-35 against Nottinghamshire.Cricket enthusiasts across the country will be watching closely to see if Anderson can maintain his exceptional form from last season and help turn Lancashire's fortunes around in the County Championship.The club's fans will have access to live scores, match statistics, and updates through Wisden's coverage, including match highlights, video analysis, and live match odds.