Anderson given Ashes scare after being forced off with calf injury
James Anderson provided England with an Ashes scare when he was injured bowling for Lancashire yesterday.
Anderson will have a scan on his right calf today after reporting “tightness” while bowling against Durham at Sedbergh School. Three times he tried to bowl the third ball of his 19th over before aborting his run-up and going off.
“Jimmy Anderson has sustained tightness in his right calf. He will not bowl again in the game and will continue to be assessed,“a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said. England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland at Lord’s starts in three weeks’ time.
The first Ashes Test at Edgbaston begins on Aug 1, leaving little time for Anderson to get fit if the calf is seriously damaged. But he knows his body and when not to take a risk, so England hope his decision to come off was precautionary.
Losing Anderson would be a massive blow to England, who are hoping to pair his experience and swing-bowling nous with Jofra Archer’s pace. Sam Curran has only just returned for Surrey after a hamstring tear while Chris Woakes (knee) and Mark Wood (ankle) are managing chronic injuries.
Stuart Broad is fit, but has been unable to lift Nottinghamshire off the bottom of Division One of the Specsavers County Championship.
Anderson has been too good for Division Two batsmen this year, and has 30 wickets at 9.36. He has bowled only 159 overs this summer and the difficulty for England is ensuring he is not over bowled, but gets in enough cricket to feel in rhythm for the Ashes.
A mystery shoulder injury threatened Anderson’s career three years ago, but he has since enjoyed two of his best summers in England.