England’s Ashes hope dealt a major injury scare after pace spearhead James Anderson was sent to the hospital to undergo scan for a suspected torn right calf. The veteran fast bowler hurried off the field after bowling just four overs in first England vs Australia Test of Ashes 2019. Anderson felt tightness in his right calf after bowling just four overs in the opening day at Edgbaston. He has sat out off the Ireland Test for an injury on the same right calf. David Warner Gets Booed After his Dismissal, Fans Show Sandpaper to the Australian Opener During the 1st Ashes 2019 Test (Watch Video).
Anderson had originally suffered a calf injury while playing for Lancashire in the English County last month and even missed the Ireland Test at Lord’s as a precautionary measure to fully recover and be ready for the first Ashes 2019 Test. Australia skipper Tim Paine had won the toss and opted to bat first. Ashes 2019 also kick-started the ICC Test Championship, which will run for the next three years. Steve Smith Mocked by Fans During 1st Ashes 2019 Test; England Supporters Spotted Wearing Masks of Him Shedding Tears After Ball Tampering Fiasco.
The 37-year-old initially left the field after feeling tightness in his right calf but returned before lunch as Australia scrapped through to 83/3 at lunch. Stuart Broad removed both Australian openers (David Warner and Cameron Bancroft), while Chris Woakes dismissed Usman Khawaja to leave Australia trailing at on 3/83 despite being a bowler short. Cameron Bancroft Given a Hostile Sendoff as England Fans Carry Sandpaper Banner During Ashes 2019.
Anderson, however, did not return to the ground post-lunch with news from the England Dressing room informing that the fast bowler will go to the hospital for scans. Anderson, who was initially unfit for the Ireland Test, was declared fit for the First Ashes game against Australia after undergoing several medical and fitness tests.
He had earlier suffered a low-grade right calf tear he sustained while playing for his county side Lancashire against Durham on July 2, 2019. Anderson’s injury leaves England a bowler short for the time being but if the MRI scans show a torn calf, England could face bowling issues for the remaining of the Edgbaston Test. Jofra Archer, Olly Stone and Sam Curran are the reserve bowlers in the squad.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 01, 2019 07:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).