James Anderson says he expects to be fully fit in “a couple of weeks” but will not take any risks in rushing back for England’s Test against Ireland, with the Ashes looming.
Anderson suffered a groin strain while in County Championship action for Lancashire against Somerset last week, sparking fears over his Ashes involvement, but scans revealed the injury to be minor.
“Obviously, it’s not great getting an injury, especially in a game, but it’s probably the best outcome of what it is, it’s a low-grade thing,” Anderson said on his Tailenders podcast. “I’m hoping in a couple of weeks I’ll be back to full fitness.
“It’s frustrating because you always want to feel good and get enough bowling in before a series, but then also you want to be fresh. It’s trying to plan the best route through the summer and I felt like I needed to play this game so it’s not ideal, but I’m not stressed about it.”
Despite the issue, Anderson has been named in England’s 15-man squad to face Ireland in a one-off Test at the start of next month, with his fitness to be monitored in the build-up.
That game is England’s only Ashes warm-up but Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum have numerous seam-bowling options, with Matthew Potts, Chris Woakes, Ollie Robinson, Mark Wood and Stuart Broad all included. It is expected that Anderson will sit out, with the Ashes starting at Edgbaston just over a fortnight later.
"I think I will be fit for the [Ireland] game," he added. "Whether I play or not is probably another matter really. I definitely don't want to risk it.
"I am desperate to be fit for the first Ashes Test. If that means missing the Ireland Test, so be it.”
