JAMES ANDERSON will extend his England career with the ultimate endorsement from his captain.

Not only does Ben Stokes want Anderson in his team for the foreseeable future, he describes him as “the greatest fast bowler to play the game”.

So better than Dale Steyn, Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Curtly Ambrose and the rest.

That’s quite a claim by Stokes — but he will not be diverted from his opinion.

It means Anderson can relax as he takes his place today  in an unchanged England team for the Fifth Ashes Test at The Oval.

Anderson has this week spoken of his desire to keep going and, although he will be 41 on Sunday, there is no chance of England phasing out their record wicket-taker from their immediate plans.

He is likely to play a role in the five-Test tour of India in early 2024 and then can expect to add to his total of Test wickets —  currently standing at 689 —  against West Indies and Sri Lanka in England next summer.

The Lancashire swing king has more Test scalps than any other fast bowler — and only trails spinners Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and Shane Warne (708) in the all-time list.

Stokes, 32, said: “Jimmy is quality, man. It’s very hard for you guys to sit here and say he’s not.

“Although he’s not had the impact or the wickets he’d have liked in this series, he’s a quality bowler and  performer.

BETTING SPECIAL – BEST SPORTS BETTING APPS IN THE UK

“Jimmy has come under a bit of flak but if Joe Root hadn’t scored the runs he would have liked, you wouldn’t be questioning him staying in the team as a batter.

“James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game and he’s still looking as good as he was two years ago.

“He’s not been bowling badly, he’s just not got the rewards he deserves.

“He’s still operated at an incredible economy rate in this series but unfortunately doesn’t have the wickets to show for it. Wickets have fallen at the other end when he’s been bowling.

“We know what Jimmy does, he ties up an end and is so relentless with his line and length. I just feel he’s been unlucky.

“The amount of time he’s gone past the bat or someone’s edged through the slips or there’s been an under edge. I feel frustrated for him and he gets frustrated when he doesn’t make an impact.

“But he’s still bowled like Jimmy Anderson, he’s just not got the rewards he normally gets.”

When asked to confirm that he really meant that Anderson is the GOAT, Stokes replied: “I faced Dale Steyn but I never faced Glenn McGrath or the other guys.

“I’ve obviously faced Jimmy a lot and been on the field a lot with him.

“Nearly 700 Test wickets is phenomenal and he’s been able to do it all around the world. Everyone has an opinion on those kinds of things and my opinion is that James Anderson is the greatest fast bowler to play the game.”

Anderson’s great mate Stuart Broad has received backing of his own by being chosen for his fifth Ashes Test of the summer. No other England bowler will have played more than four.

Broad has picked up 18 Aussie wickets this summer and Stokes added: “Stuart has been incredible for us, he’s put in some amazing performances and changed the game with his spells.

“He’s the leading wicket-taker in the series and, at 37, that’s testament to how much work he puts in off the field.”

JOHN ETHERIDGE’S VIEW

SORRY, Ben, we all admire Jimmy but no way is he the greatest fast bowler of all time – my top ten is above.

Anderson’s longevity — he made his debut in 2003 — and 689 wickets in 182 Tests are incredible and his skill second to none.

He is predominantly a swing bowler who can make it go either way with little change of action. He also has seam, accuracy and a hatred of batsmen.

But the likes of Malcolm Marshall, Dennis Lillee and Dale Steyn had similar qualities — and much greater speed.

Glenn McGrath also had height, bounce and was more accurate. Even Anderson himself has said that Steyn and McGrath are better bowlers than him.