England pacer James Anderson, who missed the third and last Test against New Zealand, is hoping to prove his fitness for the rescheduled Test against India. Due to issues with his left ankle, Anderson missed the third Test match at Headingley last week.
The third highest Test wicket-taker of all time stayed with Ben Stokes' team to witness their third straight victory over the defending World Test Champions and may play in the Edgbaston Test.
Anderson has benefitted from England's resurgence under new captain Stokes and new coach Brendon McCullum. Their winning streak has given him even more motivation to play again.
"I hate missing games. After that game at Headingley the feeling around the group is so good you want to be around it as much as possible," Anderson said on Wednesday (June 29).
"I certainly feel I've got more of a smile on my face in the field than I normally do. It's so much fun playing with this group in the style we have been.
"It was disappointing to miss the last game, seeing the guys out on the field having a good time and playing well. I'll keep my fingers crossed that I can get back in this week.
"The ankle feels pretty good and I've got a couple of days of practice to get through. If I can do that, hopefully, I'm good for Friday. We'll see what happens." he added.
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In order to resume a series that was halted last September when India, who were 2-1 up in the series, chose not to play at Old Trafford due to fears over a coronavirus epidemic, the hosts practiced at Edgbaston on Wednesday.
Positive cases are treated with more latitude these days, with Rohit Sharma's absence this week being considered an occupational hazard.
Midway through the third Test against New Zealand, Ben Foakes tested positive but still traveled to Birmingham to practice with the team.
Sam Billings is still in the mix as a backup, and a further assessment of Foakes' readiness is expected a day before the game.
(Agence France-Presse Inputs)
