NAPLES, Italy (AP) — England cricket great James Anderson is the new co-owner of a Naples-based franchise in the inaugural Italia T10 League, due to launch next month.

The announcement came just a few days after seam bowler Anderson’s 25-year stint at Lancashire came to an end, leaving the playing future of England’s record wicket-taker uncertain.

The Italia T10 named the 44-year-old Anderson and former Lancashire wicketkeeper Luke Sutton as co-owners of Napoli Knights, which will be under the ownership of Activate Sport & Leisure — a British talent management and sports consulting agency.

“Cricket has given me so much throughout my career, and the opportunity to be involved in the game in a completely different way is something I’m really excited about,” Anderson said.

“Luke and I have a close history, so to be taking on this new challenge together is particularly special. The Italia T10 is an exciting concept, and there’s a huge opportunity to help raise the profile of cricket in Italy while bringing together some fantastic players and creating an entertaining tournament.”

Italian cricket has an English flavor

Anderson and Sutton add to the English influence on cricket in Italy. It has long been a minority sport in the country. But interest was piqued when the national team qualified for the T20 World Cup earlier this year for the first time and beat Nepal by 10 wickets in one group game.

The Italia T10, due to run Nov. 18-29 and featuring six teams, has been founded by Apex T10 Limited — a company owned by former Essex and Surrey batter Nadeem Shahid.

“I played against Jimmy and Luke enough times to know how competitive they are, so having them as owners of the Napoli Knights is a massive statement for Italia T10,” Shahid said.

“Three Englishmen from the county circuit are now helping build cricket in Italy. It feels great to give back to the game. Welcome aboard, lads.”

Creating a lasting legacy for cricket in Italy

Sutton runs Activate Sport & Leisure and managed Anderson earlier in his career. They also overlapped at Lancashire from 2006-10.

“Having spent so much of our lives involved in cricket, Jimmy and I see this as a fantastic opportunity to be part of something new and ambitious, and to help grow the game in an emerging cricket nation,” Sutton said.

“For Activate Sport & Leisure, this is about much more than owning a cricket franchise. We want to use our experience in sports development, together with our established relationships with schools and clubs in England, to help create a lasting legacy for cricket in Italy.”