England fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the second ashes test after an injury in his right calf.
The England and Wales cricket board confirmed the news in a statement, saying Anderson had gone through an MRI scan after “tightness to his right calf”.
Last month, the 37-year-old seam bowler hurt himself in the same calf while playing for Lancashire.
Though before the first test he was passed fit for the match, after bowling only four overs in the first innings he was unable to continue bowling, and as a result Australia managed to confirm a 251 run victory.
“As a result of the injury, he will commence a rehabilitation programme working with the England and Lancashire medical teams. Anderson will miss the second Test match, which starts at Lord’s on Wednesday August 14,” said ECB.
England’s record test wicket taker will be “reassessed on an ongoing basis”.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan does not expect to see Anderson on the field before the fourth test and predicted that his absence will make a big impact in both dressing rooms.
“My concern is you don’t underestimate the psychological effect of Jimmy Anderson has on the England team, but also the positive effect it sends through the Australia team. For them to arrive next week and the week after to know they won’t be facing Jimmy… that is monstrous,” said Vaughan.
England captain Joe Root said: “It’s one of those freak scenarios where he pulled up — because it’s the same calf, we’re not sure whether it’s a slightly different injury.
“Jimmy in those conditions, if he bowls 15 overs, things could have been very different in the first innings in general,” he added.
One of the stars of England’s victorious World Cup campaign, Jofra Archer, could be debuted as the replacement of Anderson for the second test.
However, Archer has not played any first-class cricket in 2019. He will play a red ball match for Sussex 2nd XI against Warwickshire to gain speed against Australia.
“With Jofra, we’re in a slightly different situation where he’ll have played a lot of cricket in between and we’ll have a clearer idea of where he’s at. We’ll turn up to Lord’s and make sure in the next few days we don’t make any shotgun decisions,” added Root.
The second Ashes test will start on 14 August at Lord’s.
> Dipto Paul
James Anderson Out of Second Ashes Test For Injury
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