LONDON: England pace bowler James Anderson signed a new two-year contract with Lancashire on Thursday despite his English county's relegation to the Second Division.

Anderson, who made his Lancashire debut in 2002, has played only a limited role for Lancashire in recent years after becoming a key member of England's bowling attack.

He has taken 276 wickets in 73 Tests for England and also has 222 wickets in 164 one-day international appearances.

But the 30-year-old remains keen to help Lancashire's cause and even the team's surprise relegation from the top division of the two-tier County Championship, just a year after they won the English title, couldn't shake that commitment.

“I always love coming back to play for the club when my England duties permit me to and I'm delighted to sign for another two years,” Anderson said.