SA v ENG 2020: England pacer James Anderson in doubt for third Test in Port Elizabeth

Anderson set to undergo scans on a side injury.

Anderson was seen in some discomfort in Cap Town | Getty Images

Veteran England pace spearhead James Anderson has suffered an injury scare ahead of the third Test of the ongoing four-match Test series against South Africa in Port Elizabeth after suffering a side injury during his team’s series leveling Cape Town Test victory on Tuesday (January 7).

After England’s 189-run win over South Africa in the second Test at Cape Town, Captain Joe Root on Tuesday admitted doubts over Anderson’s fitness while confirming he will undergo scans on a side injury and get some treatment, as the veteran has had a few injury troubles in the past.

The 37-year-old recently returned from a five-month lay-off due to a calf injury during the Centurion Test but could now be a doubt for the Port Elizabeth Test starting from January 16 after he was visibly laboring during the evening session on Tuesday.

Read Also: Cricket fraternity lauds Ben Stokes after England levels series with a 189-run win

After taking seven wickets at Newlands, including his 28th Test five-wicket haul in the first innings of the Cape Town Test, Anderson later took the new ball immediately before lunch on the final day.

Though, the seamer did not bowl in the afternoon session, as he spent time off the field in the middle session and managing just two overs while in discomfort after tea and was quickly removed from the attack which raises doubts over his fitness for the third Test.

Root told reporters in Cape Town, “He'll go for a scan, get some treatment and we'll see how he pulls up. It's his side, but it could be just a little niggle. It could be a 24 to 48-hour thing or it could be something else.”

He continued, “Until we have more information we'll just treat it as best we can and fingers crossed he's not another casualty of this tour.”

While head coach Chris Silverwood told BBC Sport about Anderson, "We'll assess him in the morning and take it from there. We've got to make sure he's all right now."

He signed off by saying, "When somebody of Jimmy's quality is potentially going to be missing, it is always going to be a concern for the coach - and concern for the team - because we want him in there. He showed in the first innings that he is a great bowler."

(With Sky Sports/BBC Sport Inputs)

 
 

By Rashmi Nanda - 08 Jan, 2020

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