James Anderson bowled five overs for Lancashire’s second XI as he began his bid for an Ashes return on Tuesday morning.
The England seamer missed last week’s second Test against Australia at Lord’s after suffering a recurrence of his calf problem in the first match of the series at Edgbaston.
The 37-year-old has also been ruled out of the third Test at Headingley this week but he hopes to be back in contention for the fourth match at his home ground Old Trafford, which begins on September 4.
Anderson began his comeback as he turned out in a friendly against Leicestershire at the Northern Club, Great Crosby, near Liverpool.
Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker with 575 scalps, came on to bowl first change in the morning session and looked untroubled as he took one for 11 in his short spell.
Leicestershire batsman Sam Bates was his victim, edging behind to wicketkeeper George Lavelle.
Anderson, who is expected to be substituted at some point in the three-day game, spent most of the rest of the opening session fielding at first slip.
