James Anderson Ruled Out of Fifth Ashes Test Due to a Side Strain
James Anderson has failed to recover from the side strain that he sustained in the Edgbaston Test and has been ruled out of the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: August 19, 2015 05:43 PM IST
England fast bowler James Anderson will miss the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia as he has failed to recover fully from a side strain, captain Alastair Cook said in the pre-match press conference. (Mark Wood Ready To Stand Aside For James Anderson)
Anderson, who suffered the injury in the third Test at Edgbaston, was still around a week away from full fitness, added Cook. He only returned to bowl in the nets on Tuesday. (James Anderson Continues His Recovery)
"Unfortunately he's not going to make it," Cook said. "He's gutted about it. He's made really good progress from where he was at Edgbaston but this is a week or so too soon.
"He bowled in the nets yesterday but at about 60-70 per cent and that's not how you go into a game. He's really gutted. The medical team have been brilliant with him but he's still about a week away."
England have already won the Ashes by 3-1 and will be aiming to win four Tests at home against Australia for the first time ever.