‘Fundamentally wrong’: England legend shocked at sudden axing
England cricket legend Jimmy Anderson expressed profound shock after being unexpectedly dropped by his longtime county club, Lancashire - a sudden dismissal that left the veteran questioning his future and grappling with self-doubt.
Anderson had always envisioned finishing his playing days with Lancashire.
Jimmy Anderson. Getty
But instead, he now remains uncertain if his career is officially over after being dropped unceremoniously last season.
The club’s decision has incensed Lancashire members and drawn sharp criticism from Anderson’s former England bowling partner, Stuart Broad.
Broad condemned the move as "pretty disrespectful," citing a sheer lack of leadership in denying one of the game's greatest players a proper farewell.
“I went in for what I thought was a conversation about how the team moves forward,” Anderson said.
"It wasn't a great year for the team. Being captain I thought it was chat about that.
"A couple of minutes in I realised it wasn't a conversation. I was being told they thought the best way for the team to move forward was without me.
"I was quite shocked. It was quite brief."
Alongside his staggering 911 international wickets - an all-time record for England and for any pace bowler globally - Anderson claimed 443 first-class wickets for Lancashire, supplemented by 83 in List A cricket and 50 in T20s.
“All of the way through the season myself and the head coach were like ‘is it something we are doing? Could we be doing more to help the team?’” Anderson continued.
"I finished the season thinking 'was it something I did? Was I doing something wrong?' - and then I get this news.
"Now I am thinking that even more.
"I am thinking 'this is happening again. Is there something fundamentally wrong with me as a person?'
“Your head just sort of races. I wanted to see my career out with Lancs.”
