ANDREW Flintoff is delighted record-breaker James Anderson stands alone as England’s leading Test wicket-taker - and believes his fellow Lancastrian can scale even further heights in years to come.

Among fast bowlers, he is already in the top 10 - albeit well adrift of Glenn McGrath’s record 563 wickets - but Flintoff is convinced Anderson will eventually belong in that elite company.

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“He’s an England great now,” said Flintoff. “However, he could end up being one of the best ever to play Test cricket, up there with the likes of Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Dennis Lillee.

“I think that will be an amazing achievement for Jimmy and it’s hard not to be happy for him as well, because he is such a good lad.

“He’s a lad from Burnley who has become England’s best ever bowler.

“I can’t imagine he wants to stop there either.”

Anderson took the eye immediately when he arrived at Lancashire 13 years ago, but has had to work for his rewards.

“It’s not been an easy ride for Jimmy. He’s had problems where people have tried to change his action; he’s had injuries,” added Flintoff.

“But he’s always come back from them, and if you look at him now he probably looks as fit as he did when he was 21. That’s a credit to him.”

Flintoff is impressed Anderson has retained his motivation, as well as his fitness.

“He might not be the most vocal person but the fire’s burning within,” he said.

“He’s on it all the time; he’s a passionate player, whether for Lancashire or England.”