The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) put out an official statement to give an update on James Anderson‘s injury before the highly awaited Ashes 2023. During the domestic match between Lancashire and Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford, the ECB revealed that the experienced pacer had a “mild strain” in his right groin.
After getting hit in the thigh, the 40-year-old had to leave the field and didn’t risk playing in the last three days of the LV= Insurance County Championship Division One match. The pacer went to get scanned, and England’s management said that it was just a “mild strain.”
The ECB also said that Anderson’s injury will be checked again just before the match against Ireland on June 1 at Lord’s. On Sunday, May 14, the fourth day of the match between Lancashire and Somerset, the score was still tied.
In addition to Anderson’s injury, the English team is also missing pacer Olly Stone, who can’t play because of a knee injury. Also, Jofra Archer, who is 28 years old, has a recurring elbow problem and went home while the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 was still going on. Archer’s injury will also be looked at, and the team might make a statement to give an update.
In the next few days, England’s team for the one-off Test match against Ireland at Lord’s will be chosen by a committee. Also, it’s not clear if the ECB will take the chance of putting the experienced fast bowler in the Test against Ireland, since the important Ashes 2023 series is coming up soon.
After the Ireland Test, the three Lions will focus on the five-match Test series against Australia, which will take place from June 16 to July 31. England will be hoping that Anderson gets well enough to play in the important match against Australia.