Anderson has now joined a select group of bowlers who have taken over 500 test wickets – Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Glenn McGrath and Courtney Walsh have all took a quintuple century of wickets in international test cricket.

With this summer’s Cricket World Cup rapidly approaching, MM takes a look back at a possible Lancashire XI to compete in the 50-over format.

Lancashire paceman James Anderson has been selected by fans in the all-time English cricket test side XI ahead of the country’s 1,000th match starting this week.

In the second of two articles this week looking at key figures in this Ashes series, MM investigate the importance of each side’s leading bowler.

Australian Ashes series always leave cricket-lovers with difficult decisions to make about when to sleep and when to watch.

Lancastrian fast bowler Jimmy Anderson became only the third fast bowler to claim 500 test wickets as he broke records on day two of England’s third test match v West Indies.

Lancashire Director of Cricket Ashley Giles admitted that he is approaching the prospect of Division One cricket with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, stating ‘let’s get on with it’.

If you ever needed reminding how strong Michael Atherton’s Mancunian roots are just mention the weather.

On the recent tour of the West Indies, Lancashire paceman James Anderson broke Ian Botham’s record to become England’s all-time highest Test match wicket-taker – he has now taken 397 scalps.

Relegation threatened Lancashire are second bottom of the division with only two fixtures remaining, while the teams surrounding them all hold a game in hand.

Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has confirmed he is coming back to play for Lancashire in the Natwest T20 Blast competition.