England's Anderson in Ashes fitness race after calf injury
Last updated on: 08 July,2019 12:02 am
Anderson has just under a month to prove his fitness for the first Ashes Test against Australia.
MANCHESTER (AFP) - England spearhead James Anderson has just under a month to prove his fitness for the first Ashes Test against Australia after suffering a "low-grade calf muscle tear" while playing for county side Lancashire.
Anderson, England s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, will miss Lancashire s next two four-day County Championship matches against Northamptonshire and Sussex after leaving the field during a match against Durham on July 2 due to tightness to his right calf.
The 36-year-old Anderson underwent an MRI scan on Friday, with an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman saying Sunday: "The MRI confirmed that Anderson has suffered a low-grade calf muscle tear.
"As a result of the injury, he will commence a rehabilitation programme with the England and Lancashire CCC medical teams."
The spokesman confirmed fast-medium bowler Anderson would miss Lancashire s next two Championship match before adding: "He will be reassessed on an ongoing basis regarding his availability for the Specsavers Test match versus Ireland at Lord s on July 24 and the Specsavers Ashes Series against Australia starting on August 1."
Anderson, who is not involved in the ongoing World Cup as he no longer features in one-day internationals, has taken 575 wickets in 148 Tests to lie fourth in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.
Birmingham s Edgbaston will be the venue for the opening match of a five-Test Ashes series at the start of next month.
Australia hold the Ashes but they have not won a Test series in England since 2001.
England face Australia in the World Cup semi-finals in Birmingham on Thursday.