James Anderson: Ryan Giggs is my inspiration

James Anderson is keen to continue playing cricket at the highest level until he is 40, citing Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs as someone he would like to emulate.

The 33-year-old will begin his 16th summer of county cricket when Lancashire face Nottinghamshire on Sunday, and the fast bowler is desperate to prove that recent injury problems are behind him.

Anderson, with 433 wickets, is England's most successful bowler in Tests and says Giggs remains an inspiration as his career enters its final years.

Regarding his future, the Burnley-born player told the Daily Telegraph: "We are fitter now than ever.

"Look at guys who have played sport for a long time like Ryan Giggs. He was comfortable at 40 and did not look out of place when he retired.

"At the minute, I feel as fit as I have ever been. I feel I can still get it down the other end. I guess it is an extra incentive to keep going, to prove people wrong.

"You spend all your career trying to prove people wrong. It is the same now.

"In the back of my mind, I think I can get 500 Test wickets and what has helped me during the last three or four years has been thinking about staying as fit as possible.

"Then I can contribute to us winning games. If I do that and stay in the team, it means I will get wickets.

"I would like to play the 2019 Ashes. I will be 37 then."

He also has plans for after retirement: "I want to stay in cricket. The game has been amazing to me.

"So I want to stay but whether that is coaching full-time, I am not sure.

"It is a full-time job on the road, travelling away from your family if you do it at international level.

"Mentoring sounds more feasible. I worked for Sky during the World Twenty20. That was a great opportunity.

"I have a good analytical brain so if I can get it across in the right way that could be a possibility as well."