James Anderson joins Surrey: Will the England legend face his former club Lancashire in the 2027 County Championship?

James Anderson joins Surrey: Will the England legend face his former club Lancashire in the 2027 County Championship? originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.KEY TAKEAWAYS:Former England international James Anderson has a new county after a long stay at Lancashire.His final season there was an impressive one, yet the club went another way.Fans wondering about a reunion with his old side will find a clear answer.James Anderson signs for Surrey for 2027: Will he face former club Lancashire in county cricket?James Anderson, who is 44 and will turn 45 in July 2027, has agreed a one-year red-ball contract with the Oval-based county. The move follows a decision by Lancashire not to offer him a fresh deal, which brought a long and celebrated chapter at Old Trafford to a close.The surprise lies in the timing, because the fast bowler had just completed an excellent campaign. He took 50 wickets at an average of 17.68 in 11 matches in the 2026 County Championship, and the performances earned him the club’s Championship Player of the Year award.Lancashire’s new director of cricket, Paul Farbrace, is understood to have chosen not to renew the contract as part of a wider rebuild of the squad, and the call has drawn plenty of criticism from supporters. Anderson made no attempt to hide his feelings about the way things ended. He said he would have preferred a different outcome, and his words showed how much the club has meant to him over the years.“If it was up to me, it wouldn’t have ended like this,” he said.MORE: James Anderson international and domestic record listedGetty ImagesWill James Anderson and Surrey face Lancashire in the 2027 County Championship?The short answer is no. Surrey play in Division One of the County Championship, where they will chase titles at the Oval under their director of cricket, Alec Stewart. Lancashire, on the other hand, remain in Division Two after finishing second from the bottom of the table in 2026.Because the two sides are in separate divisions, they will not meet in first-class league matches during the 2027 season, so any emotional return to Old Trafford will have to wait.Anderson retired from international cricket in 2024 with 911 wickets across all formats. Of those, 704 came in Tests, which is the highest figure ever achieved by a fast bowler in the history of the sport.His numbers in 2026 show that the skill has not faded, and he feels there is still plenty to give.“It’s an honour to join a club like Surrey and I can’t wait to start a new chapter in my career. Surrey have a great squad and are a team that expects to be fighting for Championship titles and I’m excited to be a part of that,” Anderson said.He also spoke about the role he wants to play beyond taking wickets, particularly in helping the younger players around him.“I still feel like I have a lot to offer, taking wickets, trying to help the team win games of cricket. I also think that I can bring a lot to the team off the field and help those young players who are looking to develop their skill set and go on and represent their country,” he said.MORE:‘It wasn't done behind his back’: England legend disagrees with Stuart Broad over Lancashire's handling of James Anderson Anderson to Surrey is a smart move for both sidesAnderson’s switch to Surrey is a pragmatic move for everyone except the club he left behind. A bowler who took 50 wickets at under 18 does not lose his skill overnight, and Surrey have gained a proven match-winner for a very modest risk, since the deal is for just one season.The benefits go beyond the bowling figures. Surrey have a strong squad with title ambitions, and the younger quicks in the dressing room will learn a great deal from watching a player who has spent more than two decades mastering swing and seam. Having Stewart in charge only adds chemistry to the team dynamics.Lancashire’s decision, however, is harder to defend. Rebuilding a squad is a normal part of running a county, but letting go of the Player of the Year after a season like that, and after 25 years of service, feels like a poor way to treat a club legend. Still, the story has a pleasing ending for the bowler. He gets another chance to compete at the top level, and he will do it at a ground that holds a special place in his career. Few cricketers get to write a second act so well.To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics, visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.