England legend Jimmy Anderson promises to be the Ryan Giggs of cricket and play until he’s 40

IT has been absolutely devastating to miss The Ashes series but I have not thought for one second about retiring.

In fact, I’m going to look into how Ryan Giggs was able to play football at the highest level until he was 40. That’s what I’d like to do.

I am meeting the physios and medical people this week to map out a programme to try to make sure I’m fit for the tour to New Zealand. The Test squad leaves on November 6.

I’m 37 now, and it definitely feels possible to play until I’m 40, if the hunger is still there. And it certainly is at the moment.

I really enjoyed playing for Lancashire in the first half of the summer before the calf injury.

My bowling was as good as it’s been for a few years. I felt in great nick.

As long as I’m bowling well with good energy, enthusiasm and desire, I’ll keep going.

That’s what made the injury so frustrating. I bowled loads for Lancashire with terrific rhythm and even played some one-day cricket for the county.

My first-class bowling average was below ten.

I have plenty in the tank especially after this last couple of months of rehab.

I feel stronger than I have for many years because of all the training and fitness work. Obviously, I need to get this calf sorted out. That’s my next priority.

With the medics’ help, I’ll investigate every possible avenue and get my muscles as strong as they can be.
I’ll find out if there is anything else that could help?

With my ageing body I know there might be the odd extra injury along the way but, generally, I’ve been very lucky with injuries.

Even if I’m not playing for England at the age of 40, I still love turning out for Lancashire.
The next Ashes series is in 2021-22. Can I play in that? Who knows?

I bowled a total of 28 overs in a 2nd XI game for Lancashire a couple of weeks ago and then the calf suddenly went again.
I’d worked so hard to get fit and play a part in The Ashes after managing just four overs in the First Test.

I missed the Old Trafford Test because I took the family on holiday to Corfu for a week.

But of course I kept an eye on the cricket — how could I not with so many mates playing?

It was the story of the series with Steve Smith scoring so many runs and Australia’s fast bowlers operating with pace, accuracy and always hitting the right lengths.

They made life difficult for our batsmen. People say Smith is Don Bradman-esque and he really is.

He has 671 runs in five innings, which is extraordinary. And don’t forget he has missed a game and a half.

I can’t think I’ve experienced anything like it. Maybe Graeme Smith scoring two double centuries for South Africa against us in 2003 comes close — but Steve Smith is a phenomenon.

When I first played against him, Steve batted at six and bowled some wrist-spin. His transformation into perhaps the best batsman I’ve played against is remarkable.

Joe Root has had three ducks, that’s a big difference right there because Joe is the one we look to score the bulk of our runs.

There are some mutterings about Joe’s future as captain. But I think he is doing a very good job.

We’ve had a couple of tough years, especially since Cooky retired and we’ve been trying to find a couple of opening batsman.

We’re going in the right direction and I think Joe is the man to lead us forward.

Who could take over anyway? Ben Stokes is a leader in the group and is doing a fantastic job as vice-captain.
But giving him the captaincy might be a step too far.

He has enough on his plate as batsman, bowler, fielder and leader in all formats.