James Anderson has offered a blunt reflection on his time in The Hundred, saying he “hated every minute” of the competition last year—comments that are unlikely to sit well with those working to grow the 100-ball format. The long-serving England quick, celebrated as one of the sport’s finest fast bowlers and the only pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, appeared for Manchester Originals in three matches during the 2025 edition after catching the eye in the T20 Blast. Yet his Hundred run returned only two wickets, and he admits it didn’t bring him much satisfaction.
Speaking in a candid mood, Anderson described the mental toll of the tournament, while also hinting at the priorities shaping his schedule. “It was a mixture of hating every minute of The Hundred last year, if I can say that, and especially being captain this year, I think it’s really important that I focus on being as fit as I can be for the four-day stuff,” he said. He added, “When The Hundred’s on, I’m hopefully going to be on holiday somewhere.”
The timing of those remarks is notable, given the push from the England and Wales Cricket Board to develop and promote the tournament. Even if Anderson’s tone was more frank than openly confrontational, the comments may still reinforce scepticism among more traditional followers and players about the appeal of the shorter format.
Now 43, and having stepped away from international cricket since 2024, Anderson is concentrating fully on the longer version of the game. He has taken over as the permanent captain of Lancashire after a short leadership spell last season. In that stint, he guided the side in five matches, with two wins, two draws, and one defeat recorded.
Anderson’s Lancashire ambition
After the confirmation of his role, Anderson said he was proud of the opportunity and motivated by what lies ahead. “Captaining Lancashire for the first time last season was a huge privilege, and I’m honoured to take on the role full-time heading into the new season,” he stated. He also pointed to the dressing room balance, saying, “We’ve got a fantastic group of players, a great blend of youth and experience, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together with promotion back to Division One our number one priority.”
With the new county campaign set to begin, Lancashire will start their season on the road against Northamptonshire. Anderson has underlined that his chief objective is to lead the team back to Division One.
“I want the team to get promoted this year,” Anderson said. He also stressed that the effort should remain enjoyable, adding, “I want all the players to have fun doing it. Remember why we started playing cricket, because we love the game. County cricket, he knows, can feel like a treadmill. So to try and bring guys back to, ‘it’s not just a job, it’s something that we love doing’.”
For Anderson, the direction is clear: the red-ball game comes first. His short, unhappy spell in The Hundred appears to have only strengthened that mindset, as he turns his full attention to the county season and the push for Division One return.
