Glenn McGrath has accepted his days as the world's most prolific Test paceman could be numbered, suggesting Jimmy Anderson would be deserving of the title.
McGrath sits fourth on the list of all-time Test wicket-takers, with 563 scalps meaning he trails only spin kings Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble.
Anderson has captured 522 Test wickets from 133 Tests and shows no signs of slowing down.
The swing king has been England's best bowler during the current Ashes series, while he picked up 55 Test wickets at a staggering average of 17.58 during 2017.
"There's a bit of a threat there. I retired when I was 37 so if he's got a couple of years left in him he'll do it quite easily," McGrath told reporters in Sydney.
"Being a fast bowler, to play that many Tests to start with is a good achievement.
"When the ball's swinging around he's as good as anyone in world cricket.
"If he plays long enough he'll get me and deservedly so."
Anderson is yet to hint at any retirement thoughts, with many pundits in England expecting him to continue on until at least the 2019 Ashes.
The only question is whether the 35-year-old's body holds up.
Australia's bowling coach David Saker, who became mates with Anderson while working as England's bowling mentor, believes it will.
"He's probably one of the few fast bowlers who could go to the late 30s because of the way he looks after his body," Saker told AAP prior to the start of the series.
"He seems to make bowling look quite easy.
"Jimmy's work ethic is as good as you can possibly get. He keeps himself in great nick, he works unbelievably hard on his fitness and at his game."
McGrath presented Steve Smith's side with their baggy pink caps on Tuesday, marking the 10th anniversary of the McGrath Foundation's partnership with the SCG Test.
The organisation has set a fundraising goal of $1.3 million, which would fund 10 fulltime breast care nurses for a year.
Share
