England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed veteran seamers James Anderson and Stuart Broad have "got their eyes set" on next year's Ashes, shutting down suggestions the third and final Test against South Africa could be their last on home soil.
Anderson turned 40 earlier this summer, while Broad will celebrate his 37th birthday during the Ashes. However, the pair have played key roles in England's resurgence this summer under Stokes and Brendon McCullum, with Anderson taking 24 wickets in six Tests and Broad picking up 22.
And Stokes feels the duo are experiencing "a new lease of life in the dressing room" and will not be retiring any time soon. "I honestly just can't see a point where they decide it's time for them to step away," he said.
"Jimmy has come out and said how much fun he's had and Broady's influence in the dressing room is the best I've seen while playing with him over the years. The conversations he has had not only with me but the other bowlers, how he wants to help them and stuff like that is something he's taken to another level.
"It's great to see Jimmy at 40 and Broady at 36 having a new lease of life in the dressing room and honestly I can't tell you when the end will be. We've got the Ashes coming up next summer and I'm pretty sure they have got their eyes set on that."
Speaking after the second Test against South Africa, Anderson said he has "smiled more than I ever have on a cricket field" this summer and is "absolutely loving" the new positive and aggressive brand of cricket England are playing.
"I've really enjoyed the last few months, the way Ben and Brendon want us to play [means] my role has become a little different," he told Sky Sports. "I'm not a defensive bowler anymore at all.
"They want me to take wickets the whole time and think about taking wickets the whole time. That's my sole focus and the group's sole focus and we're enjoying it.
"I think I've smiled more than I ever have on a cricket field. I'm absolutely loving it."
