England have suffered a blow with the news that Jimmy Anderson will miss the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge next week with a side strain.
Anderson pulled up four balls into his 15th over in Australia’s second innings at Edgbaston on Thursday evening and was forced to leave the field. The England and Wales Cricket Board has now confirmed that he will not feature again in the current Test and has been ruled out of the match in Nottingham that starts next Thursday.
An ECB statement released on Thursday morning said: “England bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of remainder of the current Investec Ashes Test with a side strain.
“Anderson will be unavailable for the 4th Test beginning on Thursday 6 August at Trent Bridge and his availability for the final Test in the series will be determined in due course.”
The loss of Anderson will disrupt England’s planning, not least because of his excellent record at Trent Bridge, where he took 10 wickets during the Ashes Test win there two years ago, and the fact that he has played in all of the past 24 Tests against Australia.
