England has suffered a major setback ahead of the upcoming Ashes as their premier Test pacer James Anderson sustained a groin injury playing for Lancashire in the County Championship. Anderson was immediately taken off the field after the injury and did not participate in the final three days of the game. The match eventually ended in a draw.
The huge blow for the English side has come just before the Ashes 2023, which starts on June 16. However, England are also to lock horns with Ireland in a single Test before hosting arch-rivals Australia. Although the availability of the 41-year-old seamer is doubtful for the lone red-ball game against Ireland, Lancashire coach Glen Chapple has told the BBC that the injury was not “anything too serious”.
England still are due to announce their squad for the Irish challenge commencing on June 1 and will look to avoid risking their best bowler before the important Ashes. Notably, Anderson is the most successful seamer in the history of Test cricket. The right-arm pacer has 685 wickets to his name for England in the longest format.
Apart from Anderson, Olly Stone and Jofra Archer are also facing some fitness issues. While Olly suffers from a hamstring injury, Archer returned from Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 midway due to an elbow problem.
Coming back to Anderson, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has issued an official statement and termed the former’s injury a ‘mild strain’. They further also added that Anderson’s fitness would be assessed nearer the time of only Test against Ireland.
“Lancashire and England seamer James Anderson has sustained a mild strain to his right groin during Lancashire’s LV= Insurance County Championship Division One match against Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford,” said ECB.
“Anderson suffered the injury on day one on Thursday whilst bowling and stayed off the field for the remainder of the match, which ended in a draw today. His fitness will be assessed nearer the time of the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland, which takes place at Lord’s starting on Thursday 1 June 2023,” they added.
