NOW, we all know that Sir James Anderson signed a one-year, red-ball focused deal with Surrey; but does he have what it takes to bring Surrey back on top of Division One?
The deal which the England great signed with the Three Feathers, will extend his playing career beyond his 45th birthday, and to the end of 2027 summer.
He will bring much needed quality to a Surrey side that has lacked the quality and ambition that they have on paper, but have failed to capitalise upon over the last two summers.
Since winning three Rothesay County Championship Division One titles between 2022 and 2024 and coming runners up to Nottinghamshire in 2025, Surrey had their worst performance by far last summer.
The south London based side failed to get going at all last summer, despite having players such as Ollie Pope and Dan Lawrence available for a majority of the summer due to them not having to go on international duty.
Only bottom-placed Hampshire failed to win more than Surrey’s two games last season, and the Three Feathers only got out of the relegation scrap due to them only losing four games.
The eight draws they collected is certainly something they would like to improve upon, as most of their draws came from allowing the opposition to get away from them with the bat.
This is where Anderson could come in, however, and show his quality despite his age to help Surrey keep their opponents down to a more manageable first innings total.
With Anderson leading the bowling attack, it is most certain that Surrey fans will now be able to keep the faith that they can win games rather than holding out for a draw from the opening couple of days.
Image: Anderson in his new Surrey shirt, left, Surrey crest, right.
Credit: Surrey County Cricket Club.
