James Anderson has been ruled out of England’s four-day Test against Ireland at Lord’s starting on Wednesday but World Cup star Jason Roy will make his debut.
Opening bowler Anderson has failed to recover from the rightcalf injury he sustained when playing for his county Lancashire against Durhamon July 2.
“Jimmy will continue to be assessed” ahead of thefirst Ashes Test at Edgbaston on August 1, an England and Wales Cricket Boardstatement said on Tuesday. Chief selector Ed Smith stated when naming the squadlast week that England’s record wicket-taker would not be risked ahead of theAshes series if there were any lingering doubts over his injury.
Bowling resources have already been stretched by sidestrains sustained by Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in the recent World Cup victoryover New Zealand.
Warwickshire paceman Olly Stone will make his Test debut inAnderson’s absence, with World Cup-winning batsman Roy also playing his firstTest after featuring in 84 one-day internationals.
England will play two spinners in Jack Leach and Moeen Aliin an attack led by Stuart Broad, with uncapped all-rounder Lewis Gregorymissing out from the original 13-man squad.
England team to play Ireland:Jason Roy, Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root(capt), Jonny Bairstow (wkt), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, StuartBroad, Olly Stone, Jack Leach.