
The news can be seen as a big blow to England, as veteran fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the 1st test at Gabba, Brisbane.
Anderson who has taken 60 wickets with an average of 35.43 on Australian soil, played a vital role in England’s last Ashes win in Australia way back in 2010-11, took 24 wickets at an average of 26.04, was also the leading wicket-taker for his side in 2017-18 Ashes in Australia when he got 17 wickets.
Anderson who could’ve been playing his fifth test at Gabba on Wednesday to become the only 3rd cricketer from a visiting team to do so after Courtney Walsh and Daniel Vettori had suffered from calf problems in the recent past and will be missing the opener at Gabba as a precautionary measure just to manage the workload of the pace bowler.
Jimmy Anderson is set to miss the #Ashes opener, but England say he's fit to play | @AdamBurnett09 https://t.co/vqpaLNvM2g
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2021
The decision has been taken by ECB just to get him ready for the pink ball test in Adelaide to build up the momentum as the series will progress and don’t want to take any risks considering their 39-year old lead bowler’s importance to the team who missed the rest of the Ashes in 2019 after bowling only four overs in 1st test at Edgbaston due to calf injury.
Anderson however looked alright during the net sessions and will be part of the English dressing room alongside the Coaching staff and his teammates for the 1st test.
“He bowled at full capavity yesterday for just short of an hour and was in a good place physically. He will do the same again today at practice. He will stay with the Test group this week and work with the coaches at the Gabba rather than playing for the Lions.” an ECB statement said.
With Anderson ruled out, Stuart Broad and Chris Woakes will have to hold the key for England’s bowling line-up with Ollie Robinson alongside also eyeing to make a mark in the series.
The first test will start from December 8 in Gabba, Brisbane, with the Aussies already confirmed their playing eleven for the match.