James Anderson’s participation in the one-off Ireland Test, scheduled ahead of the Ashes, came under jeopardy when he left the field on day one of Lancashire’s match against Somerset with a groin injury. Anderson took no further part in the four-day game but the veteran seamer is optimistic that he’ll be available for England’s first Test of the summer against Ireland in a couple of weeks, much to the relief of Ben Stokes & company.
England’s attack has already been dented by the unavailability of Jofra Archer, who returned home midway through the ongoing Indian Premier League as scans revealed he had sustained a recurrence of a stress fracture to his right elbow. The pacer will now nurse his latest injury with the help of the England and Sussex medical teams.
Jonny Bairstow will return to the Test fold following a broken leg at the expense of Ben Foakes for the solitary Test against Ireland. Also returning to the mix is seamer Chris Woakes, for the first time since March 2022.
🗣️ "He really needs to get to the bottom of it"
James Anderson says he is 'absolutely gutted' for Jofra Archer after he was ruled out of The Ashes and the rest of the summer with injury 💔 pic.twitter.com/fXBv8qVv9k
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) May 17, 2023
