‘I think I will be fit for the game, I definitely don’t want to risk it’ - James Anderson opens up on his availability for Test against Ireland

Veteran England pacer James Anderson injured his groin while playing for Lancashire in the ongoing County Championship and that has created a lot of fuss regarding his availability in the upcoming one-off Test against Ireland and in the Ashes against Australia. However, the pacer has clarified that he should be fit in time and hopes to be available for selection in the one-off Test match against the neighbouring country. 

However, the 40-year-old also mentioned that he doesn't mind sitting on the bench if that helps his Ashes preparation. Notably, the Test match against Ireland will be played from June 1 at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground while Ashes 2023 will begin on June 16 in Edgbaston.

“I think I will be fit for the Ireland game. Whether I play or not is probably another matter really. I definitely don’t want to risk it. It is a little groin strain. A 10-day recovery period, and I’m rehabbing already, running next week. It was the best result of a bad situation. I am desperate to be fit for the first Ashes Test. If that means missing the Ireland Test, so be it.

“I was disappointed to have to pull out of a game but with what’s to come in the summer it was actually a pretty good result. In 2019 I had a different injury, a more serious injury. I ripped my calf earlier that summer, and it was a real push to try to get fit for that first Test. I don’t feel like this is anywhere near that severity,” Anderson was quoted as saying by The Mirror.

I am absolutely gutted for Jofra Archer: Anderson

England pacer Jofra Archer is ruled out of the upcoming English summer due to a recurrence of his elbow injury. Speaking about the same, Anderson mentioned that he was absolutely gutted for Archer and expected him to come back stronger.

“Jofra had a tough few years. With the elbow niggle keeps coming back. I am absolutely gutted. I know how much he worked hard to try and get back fit. Now, I just hope it isn’t too bad and he can’t actually get back. I hope he comes back as soon as possible,” Anderson said while talking to Sky Sports.