JIMMY’S HOPES IN ASHES
England career now under threat after paceman is ruled out for rest of series
JIMMY ANDERSON’S record-breaking England career could be over after he was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series.
The 37-year-old aggravated a calf problem playing second-team cricket for Lancashire and was omitted from the squad yesterday for next week’s fourth Test at Old Trafford.
It was a blow for England on the day Australia’s talisman Steve Smith returned to batting action, scoring 23 against Debyshire to prove his fitness for the fourth Test. Anderson will not be fit in time for the concluding Test at the Oval
and faces a big decision over whether to play on at international level.
An ECB spokesman said: “While bowling in the ninth over on Thursday in Lancashire’s second XI four-day friendly against Durham, Anderson became aware of right calf pain following on from 20 overs he had bowled on Tuesday.
“He immediately sought a medical assessment from Lancashire and was withdrawn from the remainder of the game.
“He will be unavailable for the remaining two Ashes Tests.”
Craig Overton was called up to join an otherwise unchanged England squad.