James Anderson has delivered a brutally honest assessment of his experience in The Hundred, admitting he “hated every minute” of playing in the tournament last year, in remarks that are unlikely to please organisers.The veteran seamer, widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the game and the only pace bowler to reach 700 Test wickets, featured in three matches for Manchester Originals during the 2025 edition after impressing in the T20 Blast. However, his stint yielded just two wickets and, by his own admission, little enjoyment.
“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,” Anderson told The Independent.“When The Hundred’s on, I’m hopefully going to be on holiday somewhere,” he added.The remarks are significant given the efforts by the England and Wales Cricket Board to grow and promote the 100-ball format. Anderson’s comments, even if candid rather than deliberately critical, cast a shadow over the tournament’s perception among traditionalists and players alike.Now 43 and retired from international cricket since 2024, Anderson is turning his attention fully to the red-ball game. He has taken on the role of permanent captain at Lancashire after a brief stint in charge last season, where he led the side in five matches, winning two, drawing two, and losing one.Speaking after his appointment, Anderson expressed pride and ambition for the role. “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 said.“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,” he added.With the new county season set to begin, Lancashire will open their campaign away to Northamptonshire. Anderson has made it clear that his focus is firmly on guiding the team back to Division One.“I want the team to get promoted this year,” he said.“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 priority is clear. The red-ball game comes first, and his brief, unhappy experience in The Hundred appears to have only reinforced that belief.
