DAVID Lloyd has backed Burnley bowler James Anderson to become England’s all-time greatest after seeing him break the 250-wicket barrier last week.

Ahead of tomorrow’s second Test against Sri Lanka, former Lancashire skipper and England coach Lloyd is confident Anderson will one day overhaul Ian Botham’s long-standing record.

Anderson moved to fifth on all the all-time England list of Test wicket takers during England’s first Test defeat and, aged 29, Lloyd believes there is plenty more to come.

Only Botham (383), Bob Willis (325), Fred Trueman (307) and Derek Underwood (297) have taken more Test wickets for England.

Lloyd said: “I think he is gunning for Botham’s record. I think he is on song and if he stays fit he has every chance.

“He has gone past the great Brian Statham in less test matches and that just shows how good Anderson is. He is one of the best ever.

“He rocketed from Burnley through to Lancashire and then to England. I have known Jim for a long, long time.

“He is a proper Burnley lad. He has his feet on the ground, he knows exactly what he is doing and if he gets anywnere near Botham’s 383, he has got to get 130 wickets and I think he is going to do it.

He just has to stay fit.”

Meanwhile, fast bowler Steven Finn insists he is ready to step into Stuart Broad’s shoes and lead England’s attack in the second Test against Sri Lanka next week.

Broad is heading home after being ruled out with a calf strain and his replacement as James Anderson’s new-ball partner comes down to a straight choice between Finn and Tim Bresnan.

Finn - with 50 wickets in his 12 Tests to date at an average of 26.92 - looks to be in pole position to come into a side that has lost its last four Tests.

The Middlesex seamer has not played a Test since facing Sri Lanka on home soil last June but is keen to take his chance in a challenging environment in Colombo.

It will be hot and steamy work attempting to prize out the Sri Lankan batsmen on what promises to be a spinner-friendly surface at the P Sara Oval.

Finn said: “Obvioulsy we don’t know who is going to play but if I do get my opportunity I feel as though I am ready to take it.

“It is obviously going to be testing conditions out here for seam bowlers but that is the way it goes. I personally like challenges and if I am given the nod in this game I will be looking to try and win my place back.”

While determined to take his chance, Finn has sympathy for Broad. He added: “Broady is a huge player for us, he is a very important player.

“We have got guys in the wings who can back him up we hope. People who are proven performers before, but Broady is a massive part of this team in every format of the game and he will be missed.

England need to win in Colombo to square the two-match series at 1-1 and retain their number one Test ranking ahead of the summer series against West Indies and South Africa.

n Interview in association with Thwaites, the North of England’s major independent family brewer. David was speaking at the opening of Crafty Dan, Thwaites’ new craft micro-brewery. To celebrate the launch of the craft brewery, Thwaites, with a helping hand from Bumble himself, is enabling cask ale fans to create their own virtual brew: www.thwaites.co.uk/brewing-process.