ENGLAND paceman James Anderson sustained a cracked rib during England’s Ashes boot camp, putting his place in the series opener on November 25 in doubt. It is reported that Anderson suffered the injury when boxing at the team’s controversial bonding camp in Germany last week.
“The ECB can confirm James Anderson sustained a cracked rib during England’s recent preparation camp in Germany,” the governing board said in a statement.
“Anderson is continuing his training programme ahead of the Ashes tour and will fly out to Australia with England’s Test squad on 29 October.
“It is anticipated that he will be fit and available for selection for the first Test match against Australia in Brisbane.”
Anderson struggled during the 5-0 whitewash Down Under four years ago but has emerged as the leader of the attack in the last couple of years, and any question marks over his fitness will be seen as a major blow to England’s preparations.
England’s Ashes squad took in a number of activities during the trip, including hiking, abseiling and boxing and rounded off with a group visit to the Dachau concentration camp.
Captain Andrew Strauss described the bonding camp as “tough but rewarding” – an assessment he may be forced to review if Anderson is not judged fit enough to take his place in the series opener in Brisbane.
The ECB have not yet named a replacement but Yorkshire’s Ajmal Shahzad – considered unlucky by some not to make the original party – is next in line.
Meanwhile, Chris Tremlett, whose impressive form for Surrey won him a place on the plane ahead of Shahzad despite not featuring for England’s Test side since 2007, would challenge Tim Bresnan for Anderson’s starting berth.(Eurosport)