England’s veteran pacer James Anderson’s injury has brought uncertainty among England’s camp as Ashes starts in five weeks.
England who are currently short on pacers, are deeply worried about the world number two’s injury as the veteran had some issues with his groin in the County Championship this week.
Playing for Lancashire Cricket Club, the 40-year-old was absent for days two and three of Lancashire’s first-class contest against Somerset, he did not even in the first inning.
“Jimmy is off the field with a minor issue, which is currently being assessed,” Lancashire said in a statement.
Earlier this year, England skipper Ben Stokes declared he wanted an eight-man pace squad available for this summer’s Ashes campaign, but the host nation might be low on resources when the first Test gets underway next month.
Another pacer, Olly Stone who plays for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship, will be unavailable for at least the first Ashes Test after suffering a hamstring injury during last week’s County Championship match against Lancashire.
The 29-year-old has played three Tests and eight ODIs for England since his international debut in 2018 vs Sri Lanka at Dambulla.
Stone, who underwent a career-defining back surgery two years ago, is expected to miss five to six weeks.
“Stone will miss the start of the Vitality Blast following a scan of his injured hamstring,” Nottinghamshire said in a statement.
“We, and England, will be working with Olly to get him returning to cricket in a timely manner without compromising his recovery ahead of a busy summer.”
Another English seamer, Jofra Archer was sent home from the IPL last week with ongoing elbow problems which, according to reports from England, required clandestine surgery in Belgium.
The 28-year-old last featured in a Test match in February 2021.
The latest setback puts him in doubt for not only this summer’s Ashes but also the upcoming 50-over ICC World Cup in India.
Archer, who took 22 wickets for England during the 2019 Ashes, would be a big miss should he fail to recover in time.
- James Anderson