Jimmy’s injury stops return for Red Rose

JIMMY Anderson has been forced to delay his return to action with Lancashire after suffering an injury.

The England ace had been pencilled in to play for the Red Rose in their LV= County Championship clash with Kent at Canterbury, which starts today.

He was left out of the opening two matches against Sussex and Northamptonshire at Emirates Old Trafford at the request of the ECB.

But the 38-year-old is now struggling with a tight calf, and so has been left out of head coach Glen Chapple’s squad which travelled to Canterbury.

“James Anderson will miss Lancashire’s LV= Insurance County Championship fixture starting on Thursday against Kent at Canterbury,” said a Red Rose statement.

“He has a tight calf. Anderson will continue to be assessed by the ECB and Lancashire medical teams.”

Lancashire also confirmed that Liam Livingstone was back in England having cut short a spell at the Indian Premier League with Rajasthan Royals due to ‘bubble fatigue.’

He will not be available for selection until completing a mandatory quarantine period, with India currently on the Government’s travel ‘red list.’

However, batsman Luke Wells, who signed from Sussex over the winter, could make his first-team debut after proving his fitness from a hamstring injury by playing for the Second XI this week.

Last year was difficult for Wells as he struggled for runs, but is hoping a new challenge can see him return to the form which made him one of the most consistent batsmen in the country.

He said: “I’ve got a bit wrapped up with my technique in the past, and I was a bit up and down in my mental headspace - when I wasn’t producing really good results game on game, I put a bit of pressure on myself.

“But I’ve been working really hard on my game and actually, last year, when I didn’t play, I felt particularly good in practice.

“That’s carried on working with Mark Chilton and the other guys here and I feel in a really good place.

“It’s all part of that fresh start, really, you’ve got fresh sets of eyes looking at you,” he said. “You’re not pigeon-holed in any way, it’s a clean slate to go and be whatever you want.

“I think I’ve got a lot to offer; it’s just a matter of doing it.

“Glen Chapple rang me before I signed and talked about how much he wanted me to join the squad - it really gave me a boost and reminded me that I’m a very good player, and I’ve got the record to prove it.”