England bowler James Anderson has suffered a mild groin strain, with a decision over his availability for next month’s first Test of the summer against Ireland to be delayed until nearer the time.
Anderson suffered the injury while bowling for Lancashire on the first day of their County Championship meeting with Somerset at Old Trafford this week.
The 40-year-old was forced off the field and played no further part across the final three days of the game, which ended in a draw on Sunday afternoon.
Anderson underwent a scan on Saturday night, with England now confirming a “mild strain” to the seamer’s right groin.
England are expected to announce a squad for the one-off four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s, which starts on June 1, over the coming days. Anderson will be assessed in the build-up but the news that the injury does not appear to be more significant will come as a major relief with a view to this summer’s Ashes series, with the First Test against Australia at Edgbaston still a month away.
England are already set to be without fast bowler Olly Stone due to a hamstring injury, while there remains uncertainty about Jofra Archer’s hopes of playing any part in the series after the 28-year-old returned home early from the Indian Premier League this week in order to rest a nagging elbow injury.
