Bristling return for Anderson

JIMMY ANDERSON has given England a boost ahead of the first Test against South Africa in two weeks with a trouble-free return to County Championship action.

England’s leading Test wicket-taker has been out for four weeks with a groin injury but returned, sporting a full beard, as Lancashire took on Hampshire and fired down 22 overs.

Hampshire finished on 351-8 with skipper George Bailey scoring 127 before he was bowled by Anderson, who returned figures of 22-7-74-1 on a day heaven-sent for batting.

His return is good news for Test captain Joe Root, who will be missing Chris Woakes for part of the four-match series.

England will tackle the Proteas in three T20s this week – starting tomorrow at Southampton – minus several Test stars, and Dawid Malan is hoping that gives him a chance of a starting berth 12 months after his first call-up ended in disappointment.

The Middlesex batsman, 29, received his solitary call just under a year ago as England tackled Sri Lanka but did not make the starting XI. And he admitted yesterday he had just about given up until national selector James Whitaker rang to tell him he was in the squad this week.

“I am speechless again, as I was last time, to have been given the call-up,” said Malan. “I thought I’d missed the boat – being involved, not playing, and then not being involved in anything after that.

“I hope I can get a chance this time.”