James Anderson blow a "massive loss" for England, says Pat Cummins

Cummins was the pick of Australia's seamers, taking seven wickets in the match, including four on the final day as England were skittled for 146

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Pat Cummins has admitted that the loss of James Anderson is a "massive loss" to his side's Ashes opponents as Australia prepare to reinforce their series advantage over their hosts.

Anderson was unable to bowl at Edgbaston after completing his fourth over of the Test as he felt the resurfacing of a calf injury that had already blighted the middle phase of his season.

The blow to Joe Root left England a bowler light, with Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali forced to share an increased workload.

"It's unfortunate for them that he went down early in the first game," Cummins said of England's record wicket-taker.

"It's no secret that he is a massive loss. He's been their highest wicket-taker and is arguably the best bowler in the last few Ashes series.

"Soon as he went down I felt like there was a real opportunity in the second innings to try and get some overs to their bowlers and bat well - luckily we did."

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Pat Cummins took seven wickets in the first Test

Australia were indebted to the mastery of Steve Smith in both innings as the visitors ultimately batted for 192.4 overs in the match. Broad bowled 44.4 overs, while Stokes - England's talismanic allrounder, had to get through 40 overs himself, with Australia also targeting Moeen.

Cummins was the pick of Australia's seamers, taking seven wickets in the match, including four on the final day as England were skittled for 146.

With Jofra Archer seemingly set to replace Anderson for the second Test at Lord's, Cummins added that the introduction of the Barbados-born fast bowler would have little effect on his side, having faced the seamer in limited-over cricket around the world.

"Some of the boys have played against Jofra at the World Cup or with him in the IPL or Big Bash League, so he is not an unknown. We'll do our homework," he said.

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