James Anderson has expressed his willingness to sit out England’s upcoming Test against Ireland, aiming to fully recover from a groin strain ahead of the Ashes series.

The 40-year-old, the leading wicket-taker in Test cricket history with 685 scalps, suffered the injury during a County Championship match for Lancashire against Somerset. This raised concerns of a potential repeat of the 2019 Ashes, where Anderson’s comeback was cut short after just four overs in the first Test due to injury. With his absence having a significant impact on England’s bowling attack, Australia emerged victorious by a margin of 251 runs.

Anderson’s scans, however, have shown promising results, leading to his inclusion in England’s 15-man squad for the solitary Test against Ireland at Lord’s, set to commence on June 1.

England’s management team may opt to rest James Anderson for the upcoming Test against Ireland, considering the Ashes opener at Edgbaston in two weeks’ time. Although Anderson believes he will be fit for the Ireland game, he acknowledges the possibility of sitting out to avoid any risks. His primary focus is on regaining full fitness for the first Ashes Test, and he is willing to skip the Ireland Test if necessary.

Expressing his optimism about his recovery, Anderson mentioned that the recent scan revealed a minor groin strain, which typically requires a 10-day recovery period. He has already commenced his rehabilitation and expects to resume running next week. Anderson emphasized that his current injury is different from the more severe one he suffered in 2019.

Reflecting on the situation, Anderson acknowledged that missing a game was disappointing but also recognized the silver lining. Given the demanding schedule of five Ashes Tests in just over six weeks, he considers his groin problem to be a blessing in disguise, allowing him to manage his workload effectively in preparation for the crucial Ashes series.