Stuart Broad calls Lancashire’s handling of James Anderson ‘disrespectful’

Stuart Broad has criticised Lancashire’s handling of James Anderson’s departure, calling it “disrespectful” after the county decided not to renew the veteran fast bowler’s contract.

Anderson, 44, took 50 wickets in the County Championship last season and captained Lancashire, who finished second-bottom in Division Two. Incoming director of cricket Paul Farbrace wants to rebuild the struggling side without England’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

“I didn’t like it from Lancashire,” Broad said on the For Love of Cricket podcast. “It was not done in the right way. I think it was disrespectful.” He said the county should have given one of its icons “a better send-off”.

Broad also questioned the club’s leadership, asking where the chair and board were when the decision was made. Farbrace, who recently moved from Sussex and has not yet officially started in his Lancashire role, delivered the news to Anderson alongside chief executive Richard Kenyon at a meeting last week.

Lancashire announced the decision on Sunday, after it was first reported the previous Wednesday. At a meeting with members on Monday, the club said it would look into arranging a farewell for Anderson.

Anderson expressed sadness about leaving but has not announced his retirement. Broad said other counties had already been in contact and described Anderson as “still one of the best bowlers in the country”. He added that he did not know what Anderson would do next.