Anderson offers update on fitness as he makes Ashes pledge
James Anderson believes he will be ready in time for England’s opening Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston next month.
England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker has been considered a doubt for the series opener that begins on August 1 due to the low-grade calf muscle tear he picked up during a County Championship match for Lancashire earlier this month.
The 36-year-old has been included in England’s 16-man pre-Ashes training camp squad, as well as for next week’s four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s.
Anderson is unsure whether he will be fit for the clash with Ireland, but he is confident he will be ready for the start of the Ashes.
“We meet up on Monday and at the moment I feel good,” Anderson told the BBC.
“I will keep bowling and we will monitor it. If it comes to Wednesday and I’m fit to play then great, but if not I will work towards being fit for the Ashes.”
England will head into the Ashes on the back of winning the ODI World Cup on home soil and Anderson believes the Test team must capitalise on the country’s success in white-ball cricket.
“It’s a really exciting time for English cricket. I think it was an amazing final and the reaction to it has been phenomenal,” Anderson added.
“It’s time to re-focus on to Test cricket. We realise the dangers that the Australian team bring to Test cricket, so we’re going to have to be fully focused on that.”
Latest
-
NewsSadiq Khan hoping to attract future IPL matches to London
London has staged NFL, MLB and NBA matches in London in the past and the London Mayor hopes IPL matches can also be staged in the capital.
-
NewsDan Lawrence shows early touch as Essex start strongly in Championship
There were big hundreds for Sam Robson, Tom Haines and James Vince.
-
NewsSachin Tendulkar thanks medical staff after returning home from hospital
Tendulkar was admitted to hospital last week after revealing he had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been in quarantine at home.
-
NewsNew Zealand name squad for their Test tour of England
New Zealand have named a 20-player squad for their tour of England, with three uncapped prospects in the group.
-
NewsJamie Porter hoping for England call after picking James Anderson’s brain
Porter was close to his England debut against India three years ago but has fallen down the pecking order.
-
NewsICC Rankings: Fakhar Zaman on the charge in ODIs
Fakhar Zaman has scored back-to-back ODI centuries in South Africa and is in red-hot form.
-
NewsICC pressing ahead with plans for T20 World Cup in India despite Covid-19 spike
Acting chief executive Geoff Allardice says the ICC is “not anywhere near” activating any contingency plans.
-
NewsMatt Parkinson takes positives from England tour despite lack of game time
Parkinson did not see competitive action in Sri Lanka or India.
-
NewsPonting sheds light on Smith’s Delhi Capitals role
Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting has given some insight into where Steve Smith would fit into his side.
-
News
Akhtar ‘wouldn’t call De Kock a cheat’ but run-out not in the ‘spirit of cricket’
Shoaib Akhtar has had his say on Quinton de Kock’s controversial actions during the run-out of Fakhar Zaman.