Anderson misses first Test but stays in Sri Lanka
James Anderson will defintely miss the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle - but he will remain on the tour after the management team decided to take a chance on his fitness, even though he is only rated 50/50 to be fit for the second Test at Kandy
Wisden Cricinfo staff
01-Dec-2003
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James Anderson: staying on © Getty Images |
James Anderson will defintely miss the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle - but he will remain on the tour after the management team decided to take a chance on his fitness, even though he is only rated 50/50 to be fit for the second Test at Kandy. Anderson sprained his ankle last week while playing squash.
Duncan Fletcher, the England coach, is confident that Anderson will definitely be fit for the third Test in Colombo. He said: "Jimmy has made good progress over the last day or so. We felt it was right to retain him as he has acclimatised, rather than bring someone else in."
James Kirtley, who ironically was Anderson's opponent in that fateful squash match, will stay on with the squad. He was originally retained after the one-day series as cover for Anderson.