Ashes: England fret over James Anderson's fitness for remainder of the series

Birmingham, UK: James Anderson, England’s all-time leading wicket-taker, is in danger of missing the fourth Test against Australia and possibly the rest of the Ashes series after suffering a side injury at Edgbaston on Thursday. Anderson left the field three balls into his ninth over in Australia’s second innings of the third Test at Edgbaston with what appeared to be a side strain. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) subsequently released a statement via Twitter saying Anderson had a “tight side” and would be “assessed overnight”. [caption id=“attachment_2373448” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  James Anderson, left, throws his jumper over his face as he walks from the pitch with an injury on the second day of the third Test match of the five match series . AP[/caption] Anderson’s absence on Thursday did not harm England unduly, with recalled fast bowler Steven Finn taking five for 45 as Australia closed on 168 for seven – a lead of just 23 runs with three days left in the match. England are still in pole position to go 2-1 up in the five-match series, even if Anderson doesn’t bowl again in this match. But they would dearly love to have him fit in time for next week’s fourth Test at Trent Bridge. However, England great Ian Botham said he feared Anderson would be ruled out of the series. “If it’s an intercostal, we won’t see him again in this series,” the former pace bowling all-rounder said on Sky Sports. “You can’t sneeze, can’t cough, can’t laugh. You have to let it heal.” Anderson, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Thursday, has a brilliant record at Trent Bridge. AFP