James Anderson ruled out of Cardiff Test

England pacer James Anderson won't be able to bowl in the Cardiff Test due to side strain; also doubtful for remainder of the series against Sri Lanka

James Anderson ruled out of Cardiff Test

England pacer James Anderson won't be able to bowl in the Cardiff Test due to side strain; also doubtful for remainder of the series against Sri Lanka

And the 28-year-old Lancashire seamer is also now doubtful for the second of this three-Test series starting at Lord's this coming Friday.

England's James Anderson polishes the ball during the 1st Test match
against Sri Lanka at Swalec Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on Friday. PIC/AFP

Ashes hero Anderson twice left the field on the second day's play here on Friday and bowled just one over in the final session. Although he was fit to bat ufffd Anderson emerged as a nightwatchman following the loss of England captain Andrew Strauss late on Friday ufffd a post-play scan revealed a left side strain.

Anderson was the pick of England's pace attack in Sri Lanka's first innings 400, taking three for 66.

He was not required to bat before lunch on Saturday as rain washed out the whole of the third day's morning session.

"Scans have shown James Anderson has a grade one side strain and will not bowl for the rest of the first Test," an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman said. "He will bat as it poses minimal risk of further damage.

"His involvement in the second Test will be determined following assessment after the first Test."

Fellow England seamer Stuart Broad, whose involvement in the victorious Ashes campaign was cut short by a stomach injury suffered during the second Test against Australia in Adelaide in December, said after play on Friday that Anderson's injury was major worry.

"Obviously, it's a huge concern for us," Broad told reporters.

"He (Anderson) felt a bit of tightness in the back and side."

Broad added batting was unlikely to aggravate Anderson's injury.

"When I had my side injury I could do pretty much everything but bowl. It is one of the frustrating ones as a bowler."

England have long persisted with a policy of only playing four specialist bowlers in Test matches, which proved successful during a 3-1 Ashes series win completed in January.

But the danger of such an approach can be evident if, as in Anderson's case, one of those bowlers is injured early on.

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