• Fast bowler admits career end could be as swift as McGrath’s • But record wicket taker has no interest in winding down now

Jimmy Anderson has admitted that thoughts of retirement could hit him out of the blue, as he believes happened to Glenn McGrath when the great Australian called time on his all-conquering career at the end of the 2006-07 Ashes.

But after passing McGrath’s record of 563 Test wickets – the previous highest tally by a seam bowler – the 36-year-old has no interest in winding down, expressing a desire to tour Sri Lanka this winter amid talk he or Stuart Broad could be rested.

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With Alastair Cook riding off into the sunset with a 33rd and final Test century in the 114-run victory over India at the Oval, Ed Smith and his selection panel are desperate to keep their senior new-ball pairing fresh for next summer’s Ashes assault. In the case of Anderson it is a must, given the 36-year-old has claimed 102 wickets at 15 runs apiece in his last three home summers and continues to top the ICC’s world bowling rankings. The man himself sees little value in planning too far ahead, noting that he and Broad are Test specialists these days with ample time between series to prepare.

Asked how long his incredible career could go on for, Anderson replied: “I don’t really think about it. I play my best when I focus on what’s ahead of me, the next game, the next series, whatever. We have a decent break before Sri Lanka, I’ll try to get myself in the best condition possible to cope with the rigours of bowling seam.

“I read that Glenn McGrath said he went into the 2006 Ashes with no intention of retiring and by the end of it he thought his time was up. That could happen to me. Who knows? Look too far ahead, you take your eye off the here and now. That’s what I like to focus on.”

Play Video 2:45 England captain Joe Root praises Cook and Anderson after victory over India – video

While Anderson played down his latest milestone, his stock answer remains that such matters are for when he eventually calls time, McGrath has reacted to his haul being overtaken, telling BBC Radio 5 Live that the Englishman must now think even bigger.

McGrath, who overtook Courtney Walsh’s 519 wickets in 2005, said: “I was proud to hold the record for as long as I did and for it to be beaten by somebody like Jimmy Anderson is great. If he can raise the bar to 600 wickets, that’s an incredible effort. When it comes to the art of swing bowling there is no one better.”

Doubtless conditions in Sri Lanka, where England play three Tests in Galle, Kandy and Colombo, will be less suited to Anderson but a small reminder of what he can offer with the older ball was on show at the Oval on Tuesday when his tight holding role at one end allowed Adil Rashid to attack the footmarks from the other.

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This led to a 204-run stand between the centurions KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant being broken by Rashid, who removed both set men (including the former with an astonishing leg-break), before Anderson and Sam Curran, given the second new ball by Joe Root, wrapped up England’s emotional win and a 4-1 series scoreline against the world’s No 1 Test side.

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A cracked rib may have curtailed Broad’s involvement at the back end of proceedings but it may well be that Anderson and Curran take the new ball in Galle should England opt for three spinners and the Nottinghamshire man miss out on either the XI or the tour.

Certainly Anderson is impressed by Curran, who was named England’s player of the series by India’s head coach, Ravi Shastri. Two match-changing half-centuries at Edgbaston and the Ageas Bowl, as well as 11 wickets through his left-arm swing, certainly made it a breakthrough performance by the 20-year-old Surrey all-rounder.

Anderson said: “I think we’ve found a gem there. He’s an absolute diamond of a player to be able to score runs at crucial times or to be given the ball in any situation. Having that left-arm option as well – he’s extremely skilful with the ball and he loves the battle and the fight that Test cricket brings.”