James Anderson says he is still hopeful of playing some part in the ongoing Ashes series after picking up an injury in the first Test. England’s all-time leading wicket taker only managed four overs on day one of the series-opener at Edgbaston before suffering a recurrence of the calf injury that had kept him out of action in the build-up to the Ashes.
It left the Three Lions a bowler short for the rest of the match and Australia were able to take full advantage, Steve Smith scoring two centuries as the tourists claimed the first Test by 251 runs. The ‘Burnley Express’ has been ruled out of the second Test at Lord’s next week and the medical staff have said he will be “reassessed on an ongoing basis”.
Anderson is eager to make amends for having to miss so much of the first Test, claiming he felt like he let his team mates down, and hopes to return to full fitness before the series wraps up. “The thought of more time away from the game is driving me nuts,” Anderson told The Sun. “I haven’t thought about giving up. My body feels great everywhere else, I’m as fit as I’ve ever been.
He added: “It’s hard to say when I might play again but it won’t be for a while. “My focus now is to get better and try everything possible to play a role later in the series. I’m sure there will come a point where other bowlers either get injured or need a rest.
“I certainly have no intention of giving up. If I don’t play against Australia, then the winter tours to New Zealand and South Africa are the next target.”
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