James Anderson (Source:@uccricketlive,x.com)
In a significant development, the 42-year-old fast bowling legend James Anderson is set to make his debut in The Hundred. The veteran pacer was picked by the Manchester Originals in the wildcard draft held on Tuesday, 15 July.
Should he take the field when the tournament begins, Anderson will become the second-oldest player ever to participate in The Hundred after South Africa’s Imran Tahir, who was 43 years and 149 days old when he played in 2022.
Anderson will join a strong Manchester Originals squad captained by England white-ball stalwart Jos Buttler. The team also features England bowler Josh Tongue and international stars Heinrich Klaasen, Noor Ahmad, and Rachin Ravindra.
T20 Return After Over a Decade
Earlier this year, James Anderson made a long-awaited return to the shortest format after 11 years away, turning out for Lancashire in the 2024 T20 Blast. He featured in eight matches and made an immediate impact, picking up 14 wickets while maintaining an economy rate of under 7.75 runs per over.
The performance sparked renewed interest in Anderson’s T20 potential, despite his age. His presence in The Hundred will mark his first major franchise contract since his retirement from international cricket last year.
James Anderson’s T20 Career
Anderson’s T20 career has remained largely domestic. He has played 52 matches in the format, all in England, claiming 55 wickets. Internationally, he represented England in 19 T20 Internationals between 2007 and 2009, taking 18 wickets.
Beyond the white-ball formats, Anderson has also continued to deliver in red-ball cricket. In the County Championship season, he has taken 11 wickets in just three matches for Lancashire, reinforcing his value as a high-level competitor even in his 40s.
Anderson retired from international cricket in 2024 as England’s most prolific bowler. He made 704 wickets in 188 Test matches and 269 wickets in 194 ODI.
With his debut in The Hundred on the horizon, Anderson is proving that age is no barrier to excellence. His vast experience and unmatched longevity will undoubtedly bring leadership and depth to the Manchester Originals’ bowling unit as they prepare for a fiercely competitive tournament running from 5 to 31 August.
Rocky Flintoff Earns Hundred Wildcard Deal
It is also important to mention that, along with Anderson, Rocky Flintoff has also earned his spot and will play for Manchester Originals in The Hundred 2025. Recently, Flintoff has impressed with a superb knock for England's Under-19s against India.
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