James Anderson has delivered a brutally trustworthy evaluation of his expertise in The Hundred, admitting he “hated each minute” of enjoying within the event final yr, in remarks which are unlikely to please organisers.The veteran seamer, broadly considered one of many best quick bowlers within the historical past of the sport and the one tempo bowler to succeed in 700 Check wickets, featured in three matches for Manchester Originals throughout the 2025 version after impressing within the T20 Blast. Nonetheless, his stint yielded simply two wickets and, by his personal admission, little enjoyment.
“It was a combination of hating each minute of The Hundred final yr, if I can say that, and particularly being captain this yr, I feel it is actually vital that I deal with being as match as I will be for the four-day stuff,” Anderson instructed The Impartial.“When The Hundred’s on, I am hopefully going to be on vacation someplace,” he added.The remarks are important given the efforts by the England and Wales Cricket Board to develop and promote the 100-ball format. Anderson’s feedback, even when candid relatively than intentionally essential, forged a shadow over the event’s notion amongst traditionalists and gamers alike.Now 43 and retired from worldwide cricket since 2024, Anderson is popping his consideration totally to the red-ball recreation. He has taken on the position of everlasting captain at Lancashire after a quick stint in cost final season, the place he led the aspect in 5 matches, successful two, drawing two, and dropping one.Talking after his appointment, Anderson expressed delight and ambition for the position. “Captaining Lancashire for the primary time final season was an enormous privilege, and I am honoured to tackle the position full-time heading into the brand new season,” he mentioned.“We have got a improbable group of gamers, an amazing mix of youth and expertise, and I am enthusiastic about what we will obtain along with promotion again to Division One our primary precedence,” he added.With the brand new county season set to start, Lancashire will open their marketing campaign away to Northamptonshire. Anderson has made it clear that his focus is firmly on guiding the staff again to Division One.“I need the staff to get promoted this yr,” he mentioned.“I need all of the gamers to have enjoyable doing it. Bear in mind why we began enjoying cricket, as a result of we love the sport. County cricket, he is aware of, can really feel like a treadmill. So to try to carry guys again to, ‘it’s not only a job, it’s one thing that we love doing’.”For Anderson, the precedence is evident. The red-ball recreation comes first, and his temporary, sad expertise in The Hundred seems to have solely bolstered that perception.
