Big fear for England due to groin injury of star pacer before Ashes

England’s pace bowling has continued to decline with veteran fast bowler James Anderson suffering a groin strain while playing for Lancashire in the County Championship.

England’s pace bowling has continued to decline with veteran fast bowler James Anderson suffering a groin strain while playing for Lancashire in the County Championship. Anderson was injured while bowling on the opening day of Lancashire’s county tie against Somerset in Manchester and the 40-year-old missed the final three days of the competition, which ended in a draw on Sunday. (WTC final: Ganguly-led ICC cricket committee makes major changes ahead of IND vs AUS match; report)

Anderson was injured while bowling on the opening day of Lancashire’s county tie against Somerset in Manchester and the 40-year-old missed the final three days of the competition, which ended in a draw on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether Anderson recovers in time to play in the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s next month, while England will be hoping the right-arm fast bowler plays in the much-anticipated Ashes series against Australia. Fit to Play, which begins on October 20. 16 June.

The England Cricket Board issued a statement on Sunday confirming Anderson’s injury and said the veteran will be closely monitored ahead of a busy upcoming Test schedule.

“Lancashire and England fast bowler James Anderson sustained a minor strain in his right groin during Lancashire’s County Championship Division One match against Somerset at the Emirates Old Trafford,” the statement read.

“Anderson was injured while bowling on the first day on Thursday and was ruled out for the remainder of the match, which ended in a draw today.”

“His fitness will be assessed in time for the Test match against Ireland starting on Thursday, 1 June 2023,” the ECB concluded.

Anderson is not the only England fast bowler ahead of a busy home summer, with fellow fast bowlers Jofra Archer (elbow), Olly Stone (hamstring) and Brydon Carse (back) all currently injured.

Lancashire coach Glen Chappell believes that Anderson’s injury is not serious and the veteran fast bowler will be back in action soon.

Chappell said, “Jimmy bowled really well in the first innings. He was just troubling his groin. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

“We have to be positive about his recovery, but obviously he’s done badly enough to take no part in today’s game. It just looks like a twisted groin to me,” concluded the coach.

It remains to be seen whether Anderson recovers in time to play in the one-off Test against Ireland at Lord’s next month, while England will be hoping the right-arm fast bowler plays in the much-anticipated Ashes series against Australia. Fit to Play, which begins on October 20. 16 June.

The England Cricket Board issued a statement on Sunday confirming Anderson’s injury and said the veteran will be closely monitored ahead of a busy upcoming Test schedule.

“Lancashire and England fast bowler James Anderson sustained a minor strain in his right groin during Lancashire’s County Championship Division One match against Somerset at the Emirates Old Trafford,” the statement read.

“Anderson was injured while bowling on the first day on Thursday and was ruled out for the remainder of the match, which ended in a draw today.”

“His fitness will be assessed in time for the Test match against Ireland starting on Thursday, 1 June 2023,” the ECB concluded.

Anderson is not the only England fast bowler ahead of a busy home summer, with fellow fast bowlers Jofra Archer (elbow), Olly Stone (hamstring) and Brydon Carse (back) all currently injured.

Lancashire coach Glen Chappell believes that Anderson’s injury is not serious and the veteran fast bowler will be back in action soon.

Chappell said, “Jimmy bowled really well in the first innings. He was just troubling his groin. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

“We have to be positive about his recovery, but obviously he’s done badly enough to take no part in today’s game. It just looks like a twisted groin to me,” concluded the coach.