Jimmy in line for rest

JIMMY ANDERSON could miss this week’s third LV= Insurance Test versus New Zealand — through rest rather than injury.

Anderson, 39, was battling a leg niggle which restricted him to just 8.4 overs of the second innings at Trent Bridge and delayed his introduction into the attack until the second hour of the final morning.

The discomfort appears to have stemmed from the tightness of strapping across his shin rather than an internal issue but the saturated scheduling of Test cricket this month means his omission for Headingley will be considered.

England have made clear their policy of picking their best XI whenever possible under the new captaincy-coach axis of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.

However, with the series win over the reigning world champions in the bag and the gap between this third match and the re-arranged Test versus India in Birmingham being just three days, thought will be given to allowing the 651-wicket veteran extra recuperation time.

The workloads of Anderson’s new-ball partner Stuart Broad and Matt Potts — only Lancashire leg spinner Matt Parkinson has bowled more than the latter’s 1,852 deliveries in first-class cricket this summer — will also be considered when England pick their team for Leeds.

If more than one seamer was asked to rest ahead of trying to level the 2021 series with India from July 1, it would open the prospect of cricket history being made.

Never before have twins played Test cricket for England but the uncapped Jamie Overton’s maiden call-up — after impressing withhis sustained pace and shortball aggression for leaders Surrey in the County Championship — means he could line up alongside brother Craig, who is also in the 14-man squad.