England fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series.

Anderson bowled a mere four overs in the series opener at Edgbaston in Birmingham – and was sidelined from the second at Lord’s in London and third at Headingley in Leeds by a calf injury.

He will miss the fourth and fifth Test at Old Trafford in Manchester and The Oval in London, too.

‘England and Lancashire seamer James Anderson has been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series,’ read a statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

‘While bowling in the ninth over on Thursday in Lancashire’s second XI four-day friendly against Durham at Chester Boughton Hall Cricket Club, Anderson became aware of right calf pain following on from 20 overs he had bowled on Tuesday.

‘He immediately sought a medical assessment from Lancashire and was withdrawn from the remainder of the game. Further review with the ECB medical team has confirmed that he will be unavailable for the remaining two Ashes Tests.’

Seamer Craig Overton, who played three Tests between December 2017 and March 2018, has been added to England’s squad for the fourth Test.

The series is currently locked one-all. Australia won in Birmingham. The Lord’s fixture was drawn. England triumphed in Leeds.

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