Anderson should be fit for Oval Test, hopes Swann
August 16th, 2011 - 9:17 pm ICT by IANSLondon, Aug 16 (IANS) England spinner Graeme Swann is hopeful that his team-mate James Anderson will be fit for the fourth and last Test against India, which begins at The Oval Thursday.
Anderson experienced tightness in his right quadriceps during his side’s innings-and-242-run victory at Edgbaston Sunday.
The fast bowler ripped the Indian top order with a four-wickets haul in the second innings at Edgbaston and has claimed 18 wickets in the series so far.
He, however, took part in England’s fielding drills during their practice session Tuesday afternoon.
“I honestly didn’t know he was injured until he told me this morning that he’s not going to play,” Swann was quoted as saying in cricinfo. “Jimmy seemed fine to me. I’m sure it’s just a bit of stiffness. I’m no physio or doctor, but he didn’t seem to be limping from the car.
“I’m sure once he gets running around, he’ll want to play because I know how well he’s bowling at the minute. I know Jimmy. When he’s doing well, he’s hungry for the ball and he just wants to keep going. It’s when he’s not doing so well, he’s more than happy for a week off.”
If Anderson fails to pass the fitness Test, England will have to choose between Onions and Steven Finn, after Chris Tremlett was once again ruled out because of the back injury he sustained prior to the second Test at Trent Bridge.
“I think [Jimmy] would be a huge loss, like any of the seamers, but we thought that with Tremlett when he couldn’t play at Trent Bridge,” said Swann.
“Up stepped Bressie [Tim Bresnan] and he’s been unbelievable in the two games he’s played. We have got vast stocks of fast bowlers at the minute. I’m not sure where they’ve all come from, but it’s nice for us they have all arrived at the same time, because you can never have enough big fast bowlers.”
- We are very optimistic, Anderson is fit to play: Strauss - Aug 17, 2011
- Spinner Swann happy to stand at second slip - Aug 05, 2010
- Will be very disappointed if not picked for third Test: Bresnan - Aug 03, 2011
- England likely to retain same squad for Edgbaston Test - Aug 08, 2011
- Tremlett has a niggle, but expected to play second Test - Jul 26, 2011
- Tremlett to replace Anderson for crunch World Cup tie against West Indies - Mar 16, 2011
- Tremlett doubtful for second Test against India - Jul 28, 2011
- 'I'm fitter and faster than ever, so just... let me at the Aussies: Tremlett - Dec 15, 2010
- Tremlett to miss Edgbaston Test - Aug 09, 2011
- Indians will find me the hardest to face: Tremlett - Jun 24, 2011
- Swann declares himself fit for Edgbaston Test - Aug 05, 2011
- I've been very lucky in my Test career: Bresnan - Aug 09, 2011
- India can draw inspiration from Nottingham win four years ago (Preview) - Jul 28, 2011
- Flower warns England players not to lose focus - Aug 03, 2011
- Broad retains his place, Bresnan recalled in England squad - Jul 17, 2011
Tags: back injury, bresnan, chris tremlett, cricinfo, edgbaston, fast bowlers, fitness test, four wickets, james anderson, last test, mate james, oval test, physio, practice session, quadriceps, seamers, second test, swann, team mate, trent bridge