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Jimmy Anderson to miss Ireland Test

3 minute read

Jimmy Anderson remains sidelined with a calf injury, with England confirming the veteran paceman will miss his team's one-off Test against Ireland.

JAMES ANDERSON
JAMES ANDERSON Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Injured veteran Jimmy Anderson remains in major doubt for the first Ashes Test, having been scratched from England's one-off Test against England that starts on Wednesday.

England had been optimistic that Anderson, who tweaked his calf earlier this month while playing for county Lancashire, would be fit to face Ireland in the four-day match at Lord's.

But the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Tuesday that Anderson, their all-time leading wicket-taker, would be a non-starter in the first Test of their home summer.

Chief selector Ed Smith stated when naming the squad last week that England's pace spearhead would not be risked ahead of the Ashes series if there was any lingering doubt over his injury.

England could take a severely weakened attack into the first Test against Australia, which starts on August 1 at Edgbaston, if the 36-year-old is unable to prove his fitness in coming days.

England's bowling resources have already been stretched by side strains suffered by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in the recent World Cup final.

Wood was ruled out for four to six weeks, while the prognosis over Archer is more vague and the 24-year-old is currently on holiday in Barbados.

Anderson's delayed return points to either Somerset allrounder Lewis Gregory or Warwickshire pace bowler Olly Stone making their debut on Wednesday.

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