Last Updated on 2 years by Charbel Coorey

Cricket News: Will James Anderson be fit for the 2023 Ashes? | An update on James Anderson’s fitness ahead of the Ashes

England have been left a little worried after seam bowling legend James Anderson suffered a mild groin strain just a month before the 2023 Ashes gets underway. Anderson suffered the injury on the first day of Lancashire’s clash against Somerston at Old Trafford in the County Championship.

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has declared that Anderson’s fitness will be assessed nearing the team’s only Test against Ireland starting on June 1 at Lord’s. Lancashire coach Glen Chapple apparently assured the BBC that Anderson’s injury is not anything too serious as the pacer underwent a scan on Saturday.

James Anderson not worried about groin injury ahead of the 2023 Ashes

Speaking on BBC’s Tailenders podcast, Anderson said that he will be fine for the Ashes given the injury is only a minor strain. That being said, the legendary seam bowler does have frustrations as he is currently unable to build on early season momentum ahead of the big series.

“I’m not worried about it,” Anderson said. “It’s obviously not great getting injured but it’s probably the best outcome for what it is, because it’s a low-grade thing and I think in a couple of weeks I’ll be back to full fitness.”

With 685 Test wickets, Anderson is set to hit the milestone of 700 wickets in the upcoming Ashes. He has 112 wickets in 35 Tests against Australia with five 5-wicket hauls and a bowling average of 33.57 that he will be seeking to improve on.

The 40-year-old will be a vital cog in the English unit, which will look to regain the urn in its new, unabashed and revamped avatar under head coach Brendon McCullum.

England will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2019 Ashes opener, which unfolded in a similar way at Edgbaston. Anderson had injured his calf whilst playing for Lancashire but was still named in the final playing XI for the game. He, however, pulled up after bowling only four overs. Substitutes couldn’t roll their arms over and Anderson’s injury left England a bowler short, and they missed his services throughout the series as Australia went on to retain the urn.

Steven Smith was on his much-anticipated comeback trail back then and he piled insurmountable misery on the English bowlers. England have since turned a fresh new leaf in their Test cricket journey, but they will be hoping Anderson is fit and ready for the big series starting on June 16.