The Ashes 2021/22: Jimmy Anderson tipped to sit out Gabba Test
England has denied initial claims about an injury to express paceman Jimmy Anderson and missing the Gabba Test, instead revealing they could be saving him for something else.
England are saving swing king Jimmy Anderson for a pink ball blitz in Adelaide next week after resting him from the first Test at the Gabba.
Early reports suggested Anderson had been ruled out with a calf injury but teammate Jos Buttler said the 39-year-old was not injured.
It appears he is being saved for the pink ball Test in Adelaide next week where he excelled on the last tour.
“Jimmy is fit, he’s been bowling for a while, he bowled well in the nets yesterday, and he’s bowling again today,’’ Buttler said.
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“So just a precautionary measure with an incredibly long series ahead.’’
Anderson proved this point by bowling for 35 minutes in the Gabba nets on Tuesday.
Rangly seamer Ollie Robinson is the only certain selection in the England attack as all-rounder Chris Woakes, spinner Jack Leach, veteran fast man Stuart Broad and Mark Wood compete for three spots.
England’s greatest Test wicket-taker gave himself every chance of playing this Test with a 50 minute bowling stint in the nets at the Gabba on Monday.
He was feeling so comfortable with his form that he participated in an exercise where each of his deliveries were clocked for speed and he noted the readings after every ball.
Anderson made his Test debut at the Gabba 15 years ago but the decision to rest him means he will never play another Test at the venue for this is his farewell Australian tour.
England Men have named a 12-player squad for the first Ashes Test match at the Gabba starting on Wednesday 8 December.
The final XI will be confirmed at the toss.
Root (c), Broad, Burns, Buttler (wkt), Hameed, Leach, Malan, Pope, Robinson, Stokes, Woakes, Wood.
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