Anderson ruled out of Trent Bridge Test
England fast bowler James Anderson's Ashes may be over, as a suspected side strain forced him to leave the field on day two at Edgbaston, and he has been ruled out of the fourth Test at Trent Bridge.
Anderson, who took six wickets on day one at Edgbaston, pulled up in his ninth over of Australia's second innings and had to leave the field, clutching his ribs and jumper over his face. He underwent scans overnight.
The ECB confirmed on Friday that Anderson would miss the match at his favourite ground, and would be looked at again ahead of the final match. It's likely Steve Finn will retain his place, and Mark Wood brought back in.
The ECB tweeted: "Anderson will be unavailable for the 4th Investec Ashes Test at Trent Bridge.
"His availability for the final Investec Ashes Test in the series will be determined in due course."
Discussing the intercostal muscle injury (the bands of muscle between the ribs) former England all-rounder Ian Botham opined that such a problem took a while to heal, and the player could not risk laughing, let alone bowling.
Botham said on Sky Sports: "If it's an intercostal, we won't see him again in this series. You can't sneeze, can't cough, can't laugh. You have to let it heal."
Fellow England paceman Steve Finn, who took five wickets in the evening session on Thursday, said with concern: "Obviously pulling up halfway through an over for someone like Jimmy, he wouldn't go off if it wasn't hurting.
"He's a huge player for us. He is the leader of our attack. He sets the tone with everything he does. Jimmy loves bowling at Trent Bridge, everyone knows that."
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