James Anderson in race to be fit for first Ashes Test after calf injury is confirmed

He has now been ruled out of Lancashire’s upcoming matches against Northamptonshire and Sussex, while he will continue to be reassessed ahead of England’s busy Test schedule

England bowler James Anderson has suffered a low-grade tear to his calf, a scan has revealed.

He has now been ruled out of Lancashire’s upcoming matches against Northamptonshire and Sussex, while he will continue to be reassessed ahead of England’s busy Test schedule.

England face Ireland in a one-off four-day Test at Lord’s, beginning on July 24. The Ashes series against Australia begins a week later on August 1.

Anderson left the field during Lancashire’s County Championship fixture against Durham at Sedbergh midway through an over after struggling in his run-up as he bowled. The issue was initially diagnosed as a tightness of the calf, but has been upgraded to a low-grade tear following an MRI scan.

He attempted to bowl three times after feeling the injury, but was unable to leap into his delivery stride. He eventually handed the ball to the umpire and left the field.

Anderson, England’s most successful ever bowler, would be a huge loss to England, having enjoyed a hugely profitable start to the Championship season. He has taken 30 wickets in six games for Lancashire this season at an average of 9.37.