James Anderson 'will be 100% the best fast bowler ever' - Alec Stewart

James Anderson will be "100% the best fast bowler ever" if he passes Glenn McGrath's record of 563 Test wickets, says ex-England captain Alec Stewart.

On day two of the deciding Test against West Indies at Lord's, 35-year-old Anderson became the first England bowler to reach 500 wickets.

"He's a great of the game," Stewart told BBC Radio 5 live. "His longevity is remarkable.

"If he plays for another four years he will get another 130-150 wickets."

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Anderson reached the milestone when he bowled Kraigg Brathwaite shortly after tea on Friday.

Only five bowlers, all of whom have since retired, have taken more Test wickets than Anderson, who took his first at Lord's on his debut in 2003.

The top three wicket-takers are all spinners, with Australian McGrath and West Indian Courtney Walsh the only other seamers to have passed 500.

"Once he goes past McGrath, he is 100% the best fast bowler ever and he deserves that," Stewart added.

"Every delivery as a fast bowler you put nine times your body weight through your hip, knee and ankle.

"He looks after his body well and has a great appetite for the game. We are talking about a world great. He is up there with McGrath, [Curtly] Ambrose and Walsh.

"His skill levels are second to none. I was still playing when he made his debut. He looked a good player but I never thought he'd get 500 wickets.

"He is a shy lad by nature, a fierce competitor, and he is getting better and better. He thinks he can play until 40.

"He will still be able to bowl over 80mph, and with his skill levels he can cause problems for a few years yet."

Asked about his future, Anderson told BBC Test Match Special: "I don't want to put a number on how long I will play for. I feel fit and I'm bowling well. If I keep doing that who knows how long I can play for.

"I feel like a kid when I turn up here. It's like a club atmosphere in our dressing room. That special feeling is something that keeps me going and hopefully will for a few more years.

"I'm not targeting McGrath. I want to win games of cricket. That's what drives me in life. If I can keep playing for a few more years then I might get somewhere near."

Former England batsman Geoffrey Boycott said: "The only thing I don't know is if he can stay fit. If he can, he will get a lot more wickets."