42-year-old James Anderson returns to T20 cricket after 11 years, takes 3 wickets for 17 as Lancashire win last-ball thriller; watch viral video

A 42-year-old James Anderson had entered the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction but no franchise showed interest in him. Anderson who never possessed extreme pacer, relies on swing and accuracy. On his T20 return for Lancashire after 3,935 days, he made Durham batters dance to his tunes as he claimed three wickets for just 17 runs in his quota of four overs. These are his T20 career-best bowling figures.  

After Lancashire captain Keaton Jennings won the toss and opted to bowl first at Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street, Anderson kept Alex Lees quiet by bowling four consecutive dot balls to him. In his second over, Lees hit him for a six. Graham Clark hit a four as well. But, Anderson came back well to dismiss Clark who miscued one to Chris Green. 

Anderson continued to bowl in the powerplay overs. He got the wicket of Lees for a run-a-ball 16 as well. He was brought back into the attack in the 11th over and the veteran pacer delivered with Colin Ackermann's wicket.

After Anderson's masterclass, James Neesham's unbeaten 25-ball 40 and Will Rhodes' unbeaten 10-ball 18 cameo helped Durham post 150/6 on the board. Lancashire's run chase did not get off to a good start as they failed to utilise the powerplay overs. Michael Jones played the anchor role with a 39-ball 55 before he was knocked over by Ben Raine. 

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In the end, Green's unbeaten eight-ball 15 got Lancashire back in the game. In the last over, Lancashire needed eight runs to win and Neesham was bowling. Neesham dismissed Josh Bohannon with a brilliant one-handed catch off his own bowling but Jack Blatherwick kept his calm and sneaked a single off the last ball to lead Lancashire to victory.

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Anderson's focus shifts to white-ball cricket

A decade ago, Anderson decided to focus on Test cricket and stepped away from ODIs and T20Is. His last ODI appearance was in 2015. He expressed his desire to bowl again in T20 franchise leagues after retiring from Test cricket. 

This was Anderson's second competitive match since his return to the field. Last month, he played a red-ball game against Derbyshire and claimed five wickets. The game ended in a draw. 

Anderson has signed a one-year deal with Lancashire. That is the reason why he won't be a consultant in the coaching staff for England men's team. For the home Test series against India, England have roped in Tim Southee for the consultant role.