Jimmy Anderson hands England injury boost as he returns for Lancashire against Hampshire
JIMMY ANDERSON has given England a boost ahead of the first Test in two weeks time with a trouble-free return to frontline County Championship action.
Lancashire star Jimmy Anderson enjoyed a trouble-free return
England’s leading wicket-taker has been out for four weeks with a groin injury but returned, sporting a full beard, as Lancashire took on Hampshire and fired down 16 overs.
Anderson went wicketless on a day heaven sent for batting, but his return is good news for Test captain Joe Root who will be missing Chris Woakes for part of the four-match series against South Africa.
England will tackle the Proteas in three T20s this week minus several Test stars, and Dawid Malan is hoping that gives him a chance of a starting berth 12 months after his first call-up ended in disappointment.
The Middlesex batsman, 29, received his solitary call just under 12 months ago as England tackled Sri Lanka but did not make the starting XI.
I am speechless again, as I was last time, to have been given the call-up
And he admitted yesterday he had just about given up until James Whitaker rang to tell him he was in the squad this week.
“I am speechless again, as I was last time, to have been given the call-up,” said Malan. “I definitely thought I’d missed the boat – being involved, not playing, and then not being involved in anything after that.
“It’s always a great honour, and I hope I can get a chance this time. My ambition, my dream is to play for England. So I hope I can get the cap this time.”