Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed his admiration for James Anderson, saying that he used to follow the veteran pacer closely on India's tours in England and was mesmerised by his work ethic.

Anderson’s longevity in the game is an inspiration for one and all. The 40-year-old has claimed 682 wickets in 179 Tests for England so far.

On the verge of surpassing Shane Warne's wicket-tally in Test cricket, Anderson has made a stunning comeback in the twilight of his career under the captaincy of Ben Stokes.

"I used to watch him so closely when I was a coach on tours of England every time. And what I used to admire was his work ethic,” Shastri said while speaking in the ICC review.

"Even in Indian conditions, there were times he didn't play in India. But he would go out to bowl at lunch or straight after the day’s play or before the day’s play,” he added.

Shastri revealed that he used to give the example of Anderson's work ethic to the Indian bowlers while serving the national team as head coach.

"I would say he would bowl 20 balls or 25 balls at the most. But every ball, he would give it his all. And at times I would tell my fast bowlers, ‘Just watch that. Just watch the professionalism, the work ethic’.

"And it's not a half-hearted delivery. Those 15-20 balls, whatever they had to bowl, would be as if he's bowling in a game. He bowls six and maybe takes a little break as if it's someone else's bowling. Then come back and do that. And then the action, the follow through and the rhythm, the running in, was just the same for all those 20 balls."

According to Ravi Shastri, top-notch fitness is the key to James Anderson’s success.

"So these are real professionals, and a stickler for fitness. You can't play at 40 and produce these kinds of results unless you are supremely fit. So, hats off. Well done, Jimmy. I would say. He’s a role model. He inspires so many. Leave alone batters playing at the age of 40, but for a fast bowler to play at 40, you just salute it."