Anderson to return in second XI game ahead of first Test
LANCASHIRE have re-arranged a second XI match to help Jimmy Anderson prepare for the first Test against India next month.
The Red Rose seamer has been managing a longstanding shoulder injury since the end of the series against Pakistan earlier this year.
He is scheduled to play in Lancashire’s Specsavers County Championship clash with Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford, which starts on July 22.
But England were keen for him to have at least two games under his belt going into the series opener against India, which starts at Edgbaston on August 1.
So the 35-year-old will now return for the three-day second XI fixture against Nottinghamshire at Old Trafford on July 15.
The Second XI Championship match was originally scheduled to take place on July 31 at Liverpool, but has been brought forward to aid Anderson’s comeback.
There had been talk of Anderson possibly playing for Surrey, or the England Lions, if a second team option at Lancashire couldn’t be found.
The ECB announced a brief update on Anderson’s plans yesterday.
It read: “England seamer Jimmy Anderson will make his return to competitive cricket for Lancashire second XI in a three-day match against Nottinghamshire at Emirates Old Trafford starting on July 15.
“Anderson, who has not played since the second Test victory over Pakistan on June 3, has spent the past month rehabilitating a longstanding right shoulder injury and returned to bowling working with Lancashire and England staff in the past seven days.
“As part of his plan, before the first Specsavers Test against India starting on August 1, he will play for Lancashire seconds against Nottinghamshire and the Roses match in the Specsavers County Championship Division One match against Yorkshire at Emirates Old Trafford starting on July 22.”
Anderson has been bowling in the nets at Emirates Old Trafford over the past week, and trained with the England T20 squad ahead of their match against India in Manchester on Tuesday night.
The second XI fixture will tie into the Club’s Bails and Ales festival at Old Trafford, which includes Lancashire Lightning’s Vitality Blast T20 fixture against Derbyshire on July 14 and a screening of the World Cup final, which will take place in the Foster’s Fan Village at the ground on the opening day of the second XI match.