Anderson hit by stress fracture

James Anderson © Getty Images

England seamer James Anderson has been ruled out of cricket for at least two months while fellow pace bowler Simon Jones is very doubtful for 1st Test.

Lancashire revealed the shock news after receiving the result of a scan on the 23 years-old paceman and Glamorgan seamer Simon Jones will himself have a knee scan on Thursday, but is rated very doubtful for 1st Test against Sri Lanka at Lord's.

Jones limped off during Glamorgan's C&G Trophy win over Ireland on Monday.

Anderson made an impressive return to the England Test line-up in India recently and also finished as their top wicket-taker in the One Day International series in the sub-continent.

Anderson will miss the three npower Tests against Sri Lanka, starting on May 11 at Lord’s, and the five NatWest Series ODIs against them, although he will be hoping to recover in time for the second half of England’s domestic programme which includes five ODIs and four Tests against Pakistan.

Lancashire’s manager Mike Watkinson said : “It is a huge blow to Jimmy. He has worked hard and patiently at his cricket to get back into the Test and ODI environment and obviously was hoping to be involved with England right through this summer.

“But he is a fighter and he will get all the help possible at Old Trafford to overcome this setback.”

“Anderson will see a specialist in Manchester on Wednesday but it is likely that he will need at least six weeks of rest and rehabilitation.

“He will then have another scan, and if that shows the injury has mended, he can start to ease himself back into bowling.”