England’s James Anderson said he is expecting to return from his groin injury in “a couple of weeks” but the veteran fast bowler will not aim for a comeback in the one-off Test against Ireland so that he can be fully fit in time for the Ashes.
Anderson suffered a groin injury playing for Lancashire last week but was named in the 15-man squad for the Test against Ireland from June 1. The first Ashes Test is at Edgbaston from June 16. He stated that it wasn’t ideal given that he needed some game time behind him.
The 40-year-old is England’s leading bowler in Tests, with 685 wickets, and is crucial to their chances after fellow pacer Jofra Archer was ruled out of the Ashes with an elbow injury.
“It’s obviously not great getting injured but it’s probably the best outcome for what it is because it’s a low-grade thing. I think in a couple of weeks I’ll be back to full fitness,” Anderson told the BBC’s Tailenders podcast.
“It’s frustrating because you always want to feel good and get enough bowling in before a series and you want to be fresh. So it’s now about trying to plan the best route through this summer.
“I felt like I needed to play this game so it’s not ideal, but I’m not stressed about it.”
Anderson said he is trying to avoid a similar situation from 2019 when he pulled up injured on Day I of the first Test against Australia.
A niggling calf injury ruled him out of the rest of the campaign as Australia retained the Ashes after the series in England was drawn 2-2.
“I’m just taking it day by day and seeing how it goes because obviously I don’t want to risk anything by making it worse,” Anderson added.
“I’m more confident I can get this one right (compared to 2019) and give the Ashes a right good crack.”
Anderson is also hopeful that Archer will be able to recover from his latest injury setback after the England fast bowler was sidelined for the entire summer.
Surgery on a persistent stress fracture in his right elbow means Archer, who has not played Test cricket since February 2021, will be ruled out.
Anderson expressed sympathy for both Archer and fellow injured bowler Olly Stone.
“I’m gutted for both of those guys, Jofra in particular because he’s had a tough few years with that elbow,” Anderson told Sky Sports News.
“It just keeps coming back and niggling at him, so I’m absolutely gutted for him. I know how hard he has worked to try to get back fit and I hope it’s not too bad and he can get back as soon as possible.
“When you see someone struggle with the same sort of injuries, I think it’s only sensible to try to manage your workload and whether that’s playing one format or two then that’s probably a sensible thing to do. That’s something he’ll have to work out with the coaches going forward.”
