Jimmy Anderson has joined an alarmingly growing list of injury doubts a month before the start of the Ashes and two weeks before England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland after a scan confirmed that he suffered a mild strain to his right groin during Lancashire’s draw with Somerset in the County Championship.
After bowling 14 overs on the opening day, the 40-year-old missed the final three days due to a serious injury. He underwent a scan on Saturday evening, with the results representing a disappointing end to a week in which Jofra Archer was recalled from the IPL due to ongoing concerns with his right elbow, and Olly Stone was ruled out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Initial evaluations indicate that Anderson is likely to recuperate in time for the Ashes.
“His fitness will be assessed closer to the Test match against Ireland,” the ECB said. But Lancashire coach Glen Chapple said, “I don’t believe it’s anything serious… It appeared to me to be a groin strain.”
Anderson is expected to be in the Ireland Test team this week, pending fitness.
Should he ultimately not be risked in that match, England’s record Test wicket-taker is unlikely to play until the start of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on 16 June, given that Lancashire’s focus has shifted to the T20 Blast – they play their first match against Derbyshire on Friday – and their next first-class game begins just five days before England and Australia play in Birmingham.
Anderson last played Twenty20 cricket in 2014. Lancashire’s Second XI won’t play until mid-June.
