Old Trafford pavilion end renamed in honour of James Anderson

England great James Anderson insisted he wanted to win the Ashes again after an end at his Old Trafford home ground was renamed in his honour.

The Pavilion End at Lancashire´s Manchester headquarters will now be known officially as The James Anderson End in recognition of England´s all-time leading Test wicket-taker´s "immense contribution" to both club and country in the 15 years since his first-class debut.

The swing specialist could bowl from The James Anderson End as soon as Friday, when the fourth Test between England and South Africa is scheduled to start at Old Trafford.

While Sachin Tendulkar won a 2011 World Cup final with India on a Wankhede ground in Mumbai where a stand was named after him, this is a rare recognition for a still active cricketer in the English game.

Indeed Old Trafford´s Brian Statham End was only so named several years after the Lancashire and England pace bowling great, a star of the 1950s and 1960s, had died.

For Anderson, born in the Lancashire town of Burnley and someone who has spent his entire career with the county, it was a shock late 35th birthday present.

´Surreal´

"I´m blown away, really, by the gesture from the club," he told reporters at Old Trafford on Thursday.

"I can´t quite believe it has happened. It is something that usually happens when people have stopped playing or are further down the line. So to have this happen when I´m still playing and potentially bowling from that end in the game, is a bit surreal."