England’s Anderson is just six wickets away from McGrath’s mark of 563 ahead of the fourth Test against India on Thursday.
McGrath, who retired in 2007, expects Anderson to surpass his record and that it will then stand the test of time.
He wrote in the Daily Mail: “Jimmy Anderson deserves everything he gets, and even though he is an Englishman I will be delighted for him when he goes past my record and becomes the most prolific fast bowler in Test history.
“Jimmy stands just six wickets away from my tally of 563 so it is only a matter of time now before he gets there – he should do it this week in the fourth Test at Southampton – and I will be getting in touch with him as soon as he does to say well done.
Glenn McGrath expects James Anderson to surpass his mark soon.
“I have an awful lot of respect for Jimmy. Good luck to him. I believe once he goes past me he will never be beaten.
“Records are nice and I’ve been very proud to have taken more wickets than any fast bowler in Test history, but any high is there to be beaten and I will be equally proud of Jimmy when he goes past me because the fast bowlers’ union has to stick together, whichever country we come from.”
