England’s highest-ever wicket-taker James Anderson is set to miss England play their first ever Test match against Ireland with a calf injury.
The announcement comes as England announced the eleven that will face Ireland tomorrow.
The other member of England’s 13-man squad that is set to miss out is Somerset’s bowling all-rounder Lewis Gregory.
Anderson, 36, has taken 575 wickets for England however has yet to recover from his calf injury that he suffered against Durham.
The 36-year-old has only eight more days to prove his fitness ahead of the opening Ashes Test at Edgbaston on August 1.
Among the eleven set to play Jason Roy is set to make his Test debut alongside Surrey team-mate Rory Burns.
Meanwhile, Kent’s Joe Denly; captain Joe Root; wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow and spinning all-rounder Moeen Ali are set to feature in England’s middle-order.
Jack Leach is set to pair Moeen Ali in a two-pronged spin attack with England’s XI to play Ireland packed with bowling options.
England’s fast bowling contingent is set to feature Olly Stone who will make his Test debut. Stone, 25, has only featured in two Championship matches this season taking seven wickets at an average of over 38.
However, the 25-year-old provides pace to a bowling attack which has often been criticised in recent Ashes history for the lack of a genuinely fast bowler.
It remains to be seen whether Stone can do enough to make a lasting impression on England selectors with the likes of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood waiting in the wings.
The other seamers in the eleven to play Ireland tomorrow include Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes and Sam Curran.
The match is set to go against recent tradition with only four-days scheduled for the match starting July 24 at Lord’s.
England XI to play Ireland at Lord’s: Jason Roy, Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Root (captain), Jonny Bairstow (wicket-keeper), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Sam Curran, Stuart Broad, Jack Leach, Olly Stone
JOEL KIFFIN / Getty Images
