Veteran England pacer James Anderson has declared himself fit for the first Ashes Test against Australia, scheduled to be held at the Edgbaston on June 16, after recovering from a groin injury.
Anderson had earlier, sustained the groin injury while playing a County Championship game for his club Lancashire earlier in May this year.
“Yes definitely. It feels really good and as if it has reacted to treatment. I have no issues running and bowling again and just keeping my fingers crossed I can carry on going as I have been and will be ready for the Ashes,” Anderson was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
Notably, Anderson is England’s leading wicket-taker in the longest format of the game with 685 scalps in 179 matches and is very much crucial for the hosts, who will be missing the services of pacer Jofra Archer for their entire home summer.
Intrestingly, it will also be Anderson’s tenth Ashes series for England.
However, Anderson is unlikely to feature in England’s one-off Test against Ireland, starting from June 1 at Lord’s, especially after uncapped seamer Josh Tongue being included in the squad.
“It (groin injury) is good. It is not too serious. I have been back bowling and running and (am) confident I will be fit and firing soon. The idea is to try and step it up here at Lancashire over the next couple of days and then meet up with England on Sunday and see where I get to. I am in the squad for the Ireland Test but we have to make a call on that nearer to the time,” he added.
Significantly, the Three Lions England will be aiming to regain the Ashes against Australia for the first time since 2015.
After the opening Test in Edgbaston from June 16-20, the remaining games will be held at Lord’s, Headingley, Old Trafford and The Oval.