JAMES Anderson will not bowl again in the first Test against Sri Lanka after scans showed that he has suffered a side strain.
The swing bowler was the pick of England’s attack during the first innings, taking 3 for 66 runs, but he bowled just three overs with the second new ball and one over after tea as England struggled to mop up the Sri Lankan tail. It leaves England short of bowling options in the second innings, with their four-man attack now missing their spearhead, after scans on Friday evening showed a grade one strain, which typically requires two to three weeks to heal.
The second Test begins at Lord’s on June 3, which is likely to be too quick for Anderson to recover.
“Obviously it’s a huge concern for us,” said Stuart Broad, who experienced side problems of his own that contributed to his departure from the World Cup earlier this year.
“He felt a bit of tightness in the back and side. Obviously I know what side injuries are all about after this winter and when you get a little bit of pain it’s not great. We’re being cautious. He’s a hugely vital bowler for us.”
There had been hopes that Anderson was not suffering a major injury when he emerged late in the day as nightwatchman following the dismissal of Andrew Strauss.
But the Lancastrian is able to bat pain-free, and is expected to resume his innings when play begins after a rain delay on day three.