Stuart Broad criticises Lancashire over handling of James Anderson exit

Stuart Broad has criticised Lancashire's handling of James Anderson's departure after the county decided not to renew the former England bowler's contract. Speaking on the For The Love of Cricket podcast, Broad described the treatment of his former international team-mate as "pretty disrespectful", according to BBC Sport's report on Tuesday.

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Anderson, 44, was told of the decision last week, bringing his 26-year professional association with Lancashire to an end. He took 50 County Championship wickets last season and captained the side, but the club finished second bottom of Division Two. Incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace has opted to rebuild the team without England's leading Test wicket-taker.

Broad's criticism focused on the way Lancashire communicated and managed the departure. He argued that a player of Anderson's standing deserved a better farewell and questioned the leadership shown by the club. He also challenged the role of the chair and board in overseeing the process, rather than directing his concerns solely at Farbrace, who is new to Lancashire.

Farbrace joined from Sussex at the end of the season and has not yet officially begun his new job. BBC Sport reported that he delivered the decision to Anderson at a meeting last week alongside recently appointed chief executive Richard Kenyon. News of the contract decision emerged on Wednesday, while Lancashire's first official comment followed on Sunday. At a members' meeting on Monday, the county said it would consider arranging a farewell for Anderson.

Anderson spoke publicly about the decision on Sunday, expressing sadness without announcing his retirement. His England career had ended in 2024. Broad said he did not know what Anderson would do next, while arguing that the veteran still had plenty to offer as a bowler. No move to another county was confirmed in the BBC report.

Broad and Anderson's international partnership produced a combined 1,039 wickets in 138 Tests together. Broad retired at the end of the 2023 Ashes, while Anderson continued playing county cricket after his England departure. Lancashire's decision now leaves Anderson's next playing step unresolved, with the club considering how to mark the end of his long association.