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James Anderson ruled out of SA test series with rib injury

England new bowling great James Anderson will not play the last two Tests of the ongoing South African tour following a rib injury.

The swing bowler, who is the highest wicket-taker for England in test cricket with 584 wickets till date, sustained the injury during the second Test match at Cape Town.

The BBC reported that the 37-year-old Anderson could bowl just a couple of overs after lunch on the final day on 7 January 2020. However, the swing bowler did his work capturing 5 for 40 to help England bowl out the hosts for 223 in their first innings and in the second innings taking a couple of wickets.

The visitors won the second test by 189 runs to level the 4-match test series 1-1. The first test match was won by South Africa at Centurion by 107 runs. The series is now interestingly poised and while the teams sweat it out for the remaining two matches, you can have a look at what the William Hill NJ bonus code offers have for you.

The third test match will begin on 16 January. South Africa will be pleased that James Anderson will not be taking part after scans showed his rib injury to be serious enough to be ruled out of the remainder of the series.

James Anderson. Photo courtesy of NAPARAZZI/Wikimedia.org.

James Anderson wrote on Instagram saying: “Frustrating to be missing the rest of this series with a broken rib but hopefully will be healed in a few weeks!” Anderson said on Instagram.

“Will be supporting the boys from home.”

The fast bowling great seems to be on the verge of retirement. The current rib injury follows a calf injury which forced him to be out of action for four months.

James Anderson, as a result could not feature in four of the five Ashes test matches in 2019, and also a test match against Ireland.

Replacing Anderson in the playing XI for the third test is likely to be speedster Jofra Archer, who missed the second test match with an elbow problem. England, meanwhile, have asked Craig Overton to stay with the team as Anderson’s replacement in the squad.