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James Anderson is set to continue his cricket career in Italy as captain and co-owner of Napoli Knights, one of six franchises in the inaugural Italia T10 league. The 44-year-old former England fast bowler joins the project after Lancashire decided not to renew his contract following a 25-year association with the county.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 18 to 29 at the Roma Cricket Ground. Organisers are positioning the competition as both a short-format franchise event and an opportunity to expand participation in a country where cricket is working to build on the Italian national team’s recent international progress.
Anderson will share ownership of Napoli Knights with Luke Sutton, a former Lancashire wicketkeeper and Anderson’s long-time associate. The franchise is being operated through Activate Sport & Leisure, the British sports and talent-management business associated with Sutton and Anderson.
The move gives Anderson a route to remain involved in the sport after Lancashire’s decision over his playing contract. He has played more than 400 times for England across formats and claimed over 700 Test wickets, establishing himself as one of the most successful fast bowlers in the history of the international game.
In comments reported by Sky Sports, Anderson said he was excited by the chance to be involved in cricket in a different way and highlighted the opportunity to help raise the sport’s profile in Italy. He also said the ownership group wanted Napoli Knights to compete for the title while contributing to the league’s longer-term development.
It remains important to distinguish the confirmed ownership announcement from questions about Anderson’s playing schedule beyond the tournament. His captaincy role at Napoli Knights has been reported, but any wider plans for the 2027 county season should not be assumed from this announcement alone.
The Italia T10 league will feature six teams and use the 10-over format. Reuters reported that established international players including Chris Gayle, Shaun Marsh and Dawid Malan are expected to join Italian players in the competition. The short format is designed to deliver compact matches across the 12-day event.
The league was developed by Nadeem Shahid, a former professional cricketer, and Aamir Akhtar, who was involved in establishing Nepal’s Everest Premier League. Shahid’s Apex T10 Limited holds franchise rights for the Italian project, which has received backing from the Italian Cricket Federation. The competition is still awaiting International Cricket Council approval, a step organisers say is relevant to overseas players being released by their boards.
Organisers have also said admission will be free and that coaching clinics will take place alongside the matches. Those plans are intended to make the tournament more accessible and to give young and developing players opportunities to engage with experienced professionals.
Italy’s cricket ambitions have gained visibility following the national men’s team’s appearance at the 2026 T20 World Cup. The Italia T10 project is intended to build on that attention by bringing recognised players into the country while creating a platform for local cricketers to compete and learn.
Anderson’s company is expected to support some of the coaching activity, linking his new ownership role to grassroots development as well as competition. Organisers have discussed the 2032 Brisbane Olympics as a long-term reference point for building Italian talent, although that ambition will depend on sustained participation, coaching and the development of players capable of competing at international level.
The tournament is also being watched as a possible model for franchise cricket in other associate nations. That outcome is not guaranteed: the league first needs to establish a stable event, attract audiences and provide meaningful opportunities for its Italian players.
Napoli Knights will prepare for the league’s opening on November 18, with Anderson expected to lead the team as captain and co-owner. The tournament’s final preparations, the status of ICC approval and the confirmed player list will be important developments to watch before the first match.
For Anderson, the move opens a new chapter after his long spell with Lancashire. For Italian cricket, the league represents an attempt to turn growing attention into a lasting domestic pathway, combining a high-profile franchise competition with free entry and coaching initiatives.
