James Anderson will remain be England's best bowler after retirement, claims Lancashire team-mate Nathan Lyon

Australia's Nathan Lyon believes James Anderson will still be England's "best bowler" when he retires from Test cricket this summer.

The 41-year-old is England's all-time leading wicket-taker, but he will call it a day after the first Test against the West Indies at Lord's on the 10th July.

The duo have played against each other in 22 Ashes matches, but spinner Lyon looks set to feature alongside Anderson for Lancashire in this season's County Championship.

And the Aussie admits he was shocked to hear that Anderson had been told his time was up.

"This is just my opinion - I still think he would be England's best bowler," he said.

"My care factor for England is pretty low, but I was pretty surprised when I did read that they tapped him on the shoulder.

"I look at James and what he's been able to do for England cricket, it's pretty remarkable."

Anderson discussed his future with Test coach Brendon McCullum, captain Ben Stokes and managing director Rob Key in April.

The pace bowler will turn 43 before the next Ashes Tour, which is set to get under way in the winter of 2025, leading McCullum to push ahead with building a new bowling attack.

Since making his debut in 2003, Anderson has taken 700 wickets in 187 Tests, more than any other pace bowler in Test history.

He is also third on the all-time list of wicket-takers in Test history behind Muttiah Muralitharan of Sri Lanka and Australia's Shane Warne.

Lyon is currently seventh on the list, four places behind Anderson, and he can't wait to represent Lancashire alongside the English cricket legend.

"Obviously Jimmy Anderson is in the conversation of being the greatest fast bowler of all time," he added.

"Good luck to Jimmy and I look forward to playing with him at Lancashire, but I'm glad he won't be coming out to the next Ashes."

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