Former England captain Alastair Cook has said that veteran England pacer James Anderson has been going strong and he is capable enough to play county cricket until he is 50-years-old.

However, Anderson, 39, made his debut for England way back in 2002. Recently, he surpassed former India spinner Anil Kumble to become the third leading wicket-taker in Test cricket during the ongoing Test match against India. The right-arm pacer, however, holds the record among fast bowlers with the highest number of wickets in Tests as well.

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While speaking on the BBC’s Test Match Special podcast, Alastair Cook applauded James Anderson and his brilliant control of length and ability while bowling.

“I think he definitely loves the game. It must be really nice to be at the top of the mark knowing ‘if I am on here I am gonna cause this batsman problems’, almost on any wicket. I think James Anderson can probably play county cricket until he is 50. His control of length and nibbling it around, on any nibbling wicket he is unplayable,” said Alastair Cook.

He further added: “Probably the way you have to play him (James Anderson) is a bit like (Rishabh) Pant. Charge at him and carve him through the off-side a bit,” said the former England skipper.

On the other hand, last month, James Anderson became the first player to reach 1000 first-class wickets while debuting in the 21st century. Cook also believes that Anderson and Stuart Broad must play together for England as long as they can.

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“If they are bowling as well as they can do, if they are England’s best two bowlers, then they play. And that is down to the selectors. I think England is trying to complicate it a little bit. Who do they think is the best side to take 20 wickets. If it includes Broad and Anderson at the Gabba, Adelaide, Perth, then they play. the two best bowlers,” Alastair Cook concluded.