Lancashire County Cricket Club has announced that the Pavilion End of its Emirates Old Trafford stadium is to be renamed the James Anderson End in honour of England’s leading Test wicket-taker.
A presentation will be made at 9:45am this (Friday) morning in front of the stand, ahead of England’s Test match against South Africa.
The 35-year-old, who made his Lancashire debut in May 2001, is regarded as one of the world’s greatest pace bowlers.
He becomes the second Lancashire bowler to have a stand named after him, with the James Anderson End to complement the Brian Statham End. Statham is the club’s leading wicket-taker with 1,816 dismissals over an 18-year career.
Anderson was part of the 2011 Lancashire squad that won the County Championship for the first time in 77 years. He has also won three Ashes series with England.
Lancashire chairman David Hodgkiss said: “James’ contribution to both Lancashire and England cricket over the last 15 years has been immense and we felt it right to take this unique step of recognising all that he has achieved in the game.
“Everyone at Lancashire County Cricket Club is hugely proud of James’ unique bowling achievements both for the Red Rose county and for England, as the country’s all-time leading wicket-taker.
“In recognition of a fantastic career thus far, the club is delighted to honour his success by renaming the Pavilion End, the James Anderson End. James will go down as one of the greats of the game and we’re very lucky to have him playing here at Lancashire where he continues to perform and wear the Red Rose and England jerseys with great pride.
“I would like to thank the Lancashire members for their input in the process as they voted in a club survey last year as to which players should be celebrated at Emirates Old Trafford, and James, alongside Brian Statham, were at the top of the list.”
Anderson added: “I am completely overwhelmed and honoured that the club has renamed an end after me at Emirates Old Trafford. It is an incredibly proud moment and one that will live long in the memory.
“I still absolutely love coming through the gates and playing at this great ground for my boyhood club. It is a very special place to play cricket and a venue that I have very fond memories of, both on the pitch and in the changing room with my Lancashire and England team-mates.
“I treasure every minute of playing for Lancashire and England and I hope I can put in a performance this week wearing the Three Lions on my chest at my home ground as we look to secure the series against South Africa.”
IMAGE: Anthony O’Neil/Naparazzi
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