The Australian team will hit the British shore at the start of June to take on England in the 73rd edition of the elite Ashes test trophy. Of course, the World Test Championship final between India and Australia remains the first hurdle to cross for them.
But even before setting foot on the land, a piece of news regarding the injury of James Anderson was circulating on social media and that might have provided a bit of hiatus to the batting lineup of Australia. England’s veteran fast bowler and biggest nemesis for the Aussies, James Anderson sustained a mild strain to his right groin during Lancashire‘s County Championship Division One match against Somerset on May 15.
Sky Sports Cricket reported that the chances are sky-high that Anderson might miss the Ashes series, scheduled in June. But on Tuesday (May 16), taking everyone by surprise, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) put Anderson’s name in the 15-member squad for the one-off Test match against Ireland.
Amid confusion regarding his injury, Anderson came forward to clear the confusion. While talking on BBC’s Tailenders Podcast, he said, “I am not worried about it. It is obviously not great getting injured, but it is probably the best outcome for what it is because it is a low-grade thing, and I think in a couple of weeks, I will be back to full fitness. It is frustrating because you always want to feel good and get enough bowling in before the series, and you want to be fresh, so it is now about trying to plan the best route through this summer.”
The one-off match between England and Ireland is slated to begin at the Lord’s on Thursday, June 1. Though Anderson is named in the squad, the chances are low that ECB will rush him before the much-awaited Ashes.
