England great enrolls himself into SA20 auction list

Originally posted on Guerilla Cricket | By Aryan Surana | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 3:14 AM ET

Legendary English fast bowler James Anderson has entered the auction for the upcoming SA20 season. The 43-year old seamer who retired from Test cricket in the summer of 2024 with 704 wickets, making him the most successful pace bowler in the format, features among 782 players jostling for the 84 available slots in the South Africa’s homegrown T20 tournament.

As for current internationals, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Devon Conway, Maheesh Theekshana, Reece Topley, Shamar Joseph and Jayden Seales are jostling to find takers. Not among the active lot but definitely worth a mention are Martin Guptill, Jason Roy and Mahmudullah.

Anderson is all set to be knighted for his magnificent services to cricket, in Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list, the UK Government announced.

He first represented England in an ODI against Australia in December 2002 before his Test bow in May 2003. He went on to feature in 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20Is for England during an international career which spanned two decades.

Anderson, an England great, retired at Lord’s as one of just the three bowlers in the coveted 700- wicket club in the red-ball format and had a realistic shot at surpassing Shane Warne’s tally of 708 scalps in his final Test. Anderson’s longevity as a professional cricketer was admired by the cricketing fraternity, and his commitment to fitness was evident in the sliding save he pulled off at the boundary rope following a quick sprint in his farewell game.

Since bidding adieu to Tests, Anderson has plied his trade in domestic circuits, featuring in 17 matches across first-class, T20, and The Hundred. He also threw his hat in the fray for IPL 2025 but went unpicked in the auction. The experienced campaigner was also undrafted in The Hundred 2025, but later earned a wildcard call from Manchester Originals. His performance in this season of the ECB brainchild, however, hasn’t been much to write home about.

This article first appeared on Guerilla Cricket and was syndicated with permission.

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