James Anderson suffers ‘mild’ groin strain a month after Ashes

Lancashire and England bowler James Anderson has suffered a “mild strain in his right groin”, with just over a month to go until the start of the Ashes.

The 40-year-old Pacemaker left the pitch on Thursday, the opening day of Lancashire’s county game against Somerset, just before the close of play and took no further part due to what was described at the time as a “minor issue”.

The Pennsylvania news agency understands that Anderson had a scan on Saturday night and a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board on Sunday night shed further light on the situation.

“Lancashire and England closer James Anderson suffered a slight right groin strain during Lancashire’s LV=Insurance County Championship Division One match against Somerset at Emirates Old Trafford,” it read.

“Anderson suffered the injury on the first day on Thursday while bowling and sat out the rest of the match, which ended in a draw (on Sunday).

“His fitness will be assessed closer to the time of the LV= Insurance Test match against Ireland, which will take place at Lord’s from Thursday 1 June 2023.”

Anderson had played a starring role at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday before coming out of proceedings, in what was his fourth successive four-day game for the Red Rose and his last game before the only Test against Ireland.

He gave notice of his readiness for England duty with a brilliant opening spell of eight, during which he bowled five maidens, conceded five runs and claimed two wickets.

Speaking earlier on Sunday, after the deadlock on the final day, Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple said: “Jimmy bowled very well in the first innings. Only the groin was irritated. I don’t think it’s anything too serious.

“We should be positive about his recovery, but obviously he had done badly enough not to participate in today’s game.

“It just looks like a crooked groin to me.”

The first Ash Test starts at Edgbaston on June 16.