England suffer World Cup blow as Anderson faces injury lay-off
ENGLAND’S preparations for next year’s World Cup suffered a setback after Lancashire seamer James Anderson was yesterday ruled out of the upcoming one-day tour to Sri Lanka with a knee injury.
Anderson will miss the seven-match series, which gets underway in Colombo on 26 November, as the 32-year-old continues his rehabilitation on a pre-existing left knee injury sustained during a hectic summer of Test match and limited overs bowling against Sri Lanka and India.
One-day cricket is currently assuming centre stage on the international calendar ahead of the ICC World Cup in Australia and New Zealand during February and March, with the Sri Lanka tour viewed as crucial for England getting their house in order.
At present there are no plans to replace Anderson in England’s squad, which is already missing Stuart Broad, with the focus centred on ensuring his return to prime fitness ahead of triangular series against Australia and India in the New Year. An ECB statment read: “In preparation for the Cricket World Cup, James Anderson will undergo a graded return to bowling programme over the next two months.”