Anderson ruled out of Boxing Day Test
England suffered a blow ahead of the first Test against South Africa, starting in Durban on Boxing Day, when it was revealed that seamer James Anderson will miss out due to a calf injury.
Anderson, who is England's highest wicket-taker of all-time in Test cricket, felt tightness in his calf on Monday and subsequent scans confirmed that he will sit out the first of four matches.
The Three Lions' medical staff are hopeful that the 33 year-old right-arm paceman will recover in time for the second Test, that starts at Newlands on 2 January.
Chris Woakes appears to have won the race, ahead of Mark Footitt and Chris Jordan, to be the third seamer in the starting team at Kingsmead, alongside Stuart Broad and Steven Finn.
The final two matches of the series takes place in Johannesburg and Centurion later in January.
Latest
-
NewsEngland quick Saqib Mahmood to miss rest of season with stress fracture of back
The Lancashire fast bowler would have been a certain inclusion in the squad to face New Zealand at Lord’s on June 2.
-
NewsEngland change to continue with new limited-overs coach and revamped Test squad
Things have been moving quickly at the England and Wales Cricket Board with Rob Key.
-
NewsOn this day in 2010: England beat Australia for Twenty20 World Cup final glory
The Australians had been restricted to just 147 for six from their 20 overs.
-
NewsJames Anderson removes Joe Root for just four but Yorkshire thwart Lancashire
Harry Brook came to Yorkshire’s rescue to secure a Roses draw.
-
NewsAndrew Symonds – the Queensland larrikin known as Roy with explosive batting
The former Australia all-rounder was killed in a car crash at the age of 46.
-
NewsTributes to an ‘extraordinary player and even better human being’ Andrew Symonds
Symonds died aged 46
-
NewsFormer Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in Queensland car crash
The 46-year-old played over 200 times for Australia across all formats.
-
NewsCricket world reacts to tragic death of ex-Australia player Andrew Symonds
The ‘cult figure’ of the sport was killed in a car-crash on Saturday night.
-
NewsFormer Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds dies in car crash aged 46
Symonds played 26 Tests and 212 limited-overs internationals for his country.
-
NewsJoe Root century checks Lancashire’s victory bid in Roses clash
Jack Leach took an eight-wicket match haul as Somerset claimed victory over neighbours Gloucestershire.