On becoming the only fast bowler in the history of the game to take 600 Test wickets till date, James Anderson has made clear his next goal, which is to make it to England's 2021-22 Ashes campaign, something skipper Joe Root has asked him to push for as well.
Anderson reached the milestone at the age of 38 on Day 5 of the rain-affected drawn third and final Test against Pakistan in Southampton.
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The fast bowler will be entering his 40th year when England strives to regain the urn down under late next winter, a task proven too good for many of the teams in the past.
While even the prospect of touring Australia could intimidate many English bowlers, Anderson is confident of making yet another trip and be a key member in his team's success.
"To be honest I've chatted to Rooty about this a little bit and he has said he would like me to be in Australia," Anderson told reporters after England won the Pakistan Test series 1-0.
Many at Anderson's age bid farewell to the game. He, however, doesn't yet want to rest on his laurels and genuinely believes he still has a lot to offer.
"I don't see any reason why I can't be (involved)," said Anderson, who was integral to England's historic 2010-11 series victory in Australia but has since only seen his team fail on Ashes trips.
"I'm working hard on my fitness all the time, working hard on my game. I didn't bowl as well as I'd have liked for the whole summer but this Test match I was really on it and I feel like I've still got stuff to offer this team."
"As long as I still feel like that I think I'll keep going. There will be decisions along the way with the selectors and coach and captain around how the team moves forward but as long as they want me around I'll keep working hard and try to prove I'm good enough to play in this team."
With time, the injuries have taken their toll on his body, but the sheer hunger to still comeback and take wickets for England has kept Anderson going.
"I still love turning up every day at training, putting in the hard yards and being in the dressing room with the lads trying to forge a win for England."
"That's all I've really ever bothered about and what I'll keep trying to do. I don't think I've won my last Test matches as an England cricketer yet," he signed off.
(Inputs from AFP)
