Broad Calls Lancashire's Handling of Anderson Disrespectful
Stuart Broad has criticised Lancashire for the way they have treated James Anderson. He called the club "pretty disrespectful" over their handling of his former England bowling partner.
Anderson, 44, was told last week that the county will not renew his contract. The decision ends his 26-year professional career with the club.
"It was not done in the right way. I think it was disrespectful," Broad said on the For The Love of Cricket podcast. "You give your icons or greats of the game a better send-off than that."
How the news came out
Anderson took 50 wickets in the County Championship last season and was captain. Lancashire finished second bottom of Division Two. Paul Farbrace, the incoming director of cricket, wants to rebuild the side for the future without England's all-time leading wicket-taker.
The story was first reported on Wednesday. Lancashire made no official comment until Sunday. At a meeting with members on Monday, the club said it would look into arranging a farewell for Anderson.
Broad said the episode "shows a lack of leadership at that club". He added: "Paul Farbrace is new, but where is the chair? Where is the board demanding that this is done in a better way?" Together, Broad and Anderson took a record 1,039 Test wickets in 138 Tests.
Anderson's next move
Anderson has now spoken publicly for the first time since the decision. He said he was sad about the situation but stopped short of retiring. His England career was also cut short in 2024 in similar circumstances.
Broad said he understood the thinking behind the move. "I get the thought process, 'we could probably get two half-decent cricketers for the one and losing that salary'," he said.
Other counties are understood to be interested in signing the bowler. "It doesn't surprise me that some counties have already been on the phone and seeing what his interest levels are," Broad said. "There will be a lot of counties that want him. He offers a huge amount, he's still one of the best bowlers in the country."
Source: BBC Sport