Nothing else we could have done: Anderson on Ashes selection
James Anderson could only bowl just four overs in the first Ashes 2019 Test at Edgbaston. England went on to lose the match by 251 runs. The veteran fast bowler has defended his selection for the first Test and said there's nothing the team could have done. Meanwhile, Anderson has already been ruled out of the second Test starting August 14. Here's more.
Anderson's calf injury comes back to haunt him
Anderson had earlier picked up a calf injury and missed out on the one-off Test match against Ireland. He was named in the first match's XI against Australia and was expected to lead the bowling unit. But the 37-year-old was bothered by the same issue. He went off injured early on the first morning with the same injury that came back to haunt him.
'There's nothing else we could have done'
"I missed the Ireland Test as a precaution to make sure I was 100% for the Ashes. I felt angry about having done all the work to get there. There's nothing else we could have done. I did all the rehab," said Anderson to BBC.
Archer to replace Anderson at Lord's
The premier fast bowler has been ruled out of the second Ashes Test at Lord's. England will replace Anderson with Jofra Archer. The 24-year-old is in line to make his Ashes debut at Lord's. Archer will be raring to have a crack at Australia and make things count in Anderson's absence. Anderson also highlighted the work he needs to do in making a return.
Anderson opens up on what's needed to be done
"I'm sure if I do manage to come back in this series then I'll have to play some sort of cricket beforehand. You feel lots of guilt [and you are] generally frustrated but you're trying to help out the lads as much as possible without making them feel worse," said Anderson. A more realistic return date could be at Old Trafford on September 4.
England have serious work ahead
England have work to do ahead of the second Test. They dropped Moeen Ali and recalled Jack Leach for the Lord's Test. They cannot afford to lose the second Test. Making a return from there on would be extremely difficult against a confident Australian team.
