England fast bowler James Anderson says he has recovered from a groin injury and will be fit for next month’s first Ashes Test against Australia.
England’s leading bowler with 685 wickets in Tests, Anderson suffered the injury last week while playing for Lancashire. He is unlikely to feature in the one-off Test against Ireland before the Ashes following the inclusion of uncapped Josh Tong.
“Yeah, definitely,” 40-year-old Anderson told the Telegraph newspaper on Wednesday when asked whether he would be fit for the first match against Australia at Edgbaston on June 16.
“I have no problem running and bowling again and just crossing my fingers I will be ready for the Ashes and can carry on.
“The idea is to try and push it in Lancashire over the next few days and then meet England on Sunday and see where I get to. I am in the squad for the Ireland Test but we will have to decide closer to the time.
Anderson’s availability is crucial for England, who are already without injured pacer Jofra Archer.
England had suffered a 4-0 defeat in the last Ashes series in Australia.