James Anderson has expressed regret after Lancashire confirmed that they would not be renewing his contract after a 25-year association with the club.

The 44-year-old led his boyhood side in the County Championship last season and topped the wicket-taking charts in a difficult summer, but has not been offered new terms.

The decision was confirmed to Anderson last week in a meeting with Paul Farbrace , recently appointed as director of cricket, and Lancashire’s new chief executive Richard Kenyon.

Anderson is the leading wicket-taker among seam bowlers in Test history, and finishes his Lancashire career with 443 wickets across 112 first-class appearances since making his debut in 2001.

The bowler posted on social media: “I have always found it special walking out to play at Old Trafford and have some incredible memories of doing so including the honour of being captain – if it was up to me it wouldn’t have ended like this, but I wish the players and fans all the best for the future.”

Anderson had…