Jimmy Anderson hints he could play on beyond next summer's Ashes

Jimmy Anderson has hinted he could play beyond the Ashes next summer because of the new life he feels under the captaincy of Ben Stokes.

Last week, England’s evergreen seamer became the oldest cricketer since West Indies’ Lance Gibbs in 1975 to feature in the top two of the official Test bowling rankings, with Australia captain Pat Cummins currently ahead of him.

It is Anderson’s highest position for almost four years and reflects a brilliant spell which has seen him claim 35 wickets at 17.85 runs apiece since starting last summer.

Jimmy Anderson, 40, has hinted he could play beyond the Ashes next summer

Eight of those came in the two Tests in Pakistan, where Stokes’ unorthodox leadership and attacking philosophy – a six-hit competition held by the away team on the eve of the series finale – led him to think differently about the game.

‘It’s a breath of fresh air and I feel I can go on for a few more years with this regime,’ Anderson told Sky Sports.

‘I’m enjoying every moment, going out on the field trying to have fun and being creative about how we can get 20 wickets.

Anderson (right) feels new life under England captain Ben Stokes (left)

‘Then watching us bat was incredible. I’ve seen the white-ball side get stronger from the sidelines but to actually be in a group where we’re taking the game forward and raising the bar of Test cricket is really something special.’

Anderson has been rested for this week’s third Test in Karachi with next month’s tour of New Zealand in mind. That trip, it appears, will represent his last in an England shirt overseas, with a five-match series against Australia in 2023 offering a clear entry into retirement.

But a player who made his international debut 20 years ago this week has cast doubt on such assumptions, suggesting he could play beyond his 41st birthday next July.

‘What keeps me going is coming down to earth trying to still get better at my age. The hunger to continue to heal is very important,’ he said.

Anderson became the oldest cricketer in 47 years to feature in the top two of the official Test bowling rankings last week – with only Australia captain Pat Cummins currently ahead of him.

Last week, England’s evergreen seamer became the oldest cricketer since West Indies’ Lance Gibbs in 1975, to feature in the top two of the official Test bowling rankings, with only Australia captain Pat Cummins ahead of him.

‘I’m lucky that my body can take Test cricket, it can take the rigors of it, so as long as I’ve got the hunger, who knows how long I’ll go on?’

Anderson also gave an emphatic response when asked if England’s Bazball tactics could be successful in an Ashes clash.

That’s the question before we come here. Does it work in Pakistan? And, we’re 2-0 up,’ he said.

‘For us, it’s a case of trying to improve, keep the style that we know works for us. We have the talent to do it, which obviously helps, and we will continue to work hard and enjoy it. It might not work against Australia but we’ll give it a good crack and hopefully it will.’