England bowler ruled out of final two South Africa Tests

England fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the final two Tests against South Africa. Reports on Wednesday night suggested that England’s leading wicket-taker in Tests had sustained a rib injury.

Read: England edge South Africa to level series in Cape Town

He picked up the injury on Tuesday during his side’s series-levelling victory over the hosts in the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town, managing only two overs after lunch. Scans have shown the depth of the injury sustained, with the 37-year-old now set to watch from the sidelines.

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James Anderson’s five-for in South Africa’s first innings made it 28 five-wicket hauls in Tests for the fast bowler (Image: Getty Images).

This after Anderson returned to action after four months; out with a calf injury for the opening Boxing Test match in Centurion. But not before he missed four of the five Ashes Tests last summer, and the Test against Ireland in July, all due to injury. The Lancashire bowler has, so far, captured nine wickets against the Proteas, including seven in the Cape Town affair.

After taking five wickets for 40 in the first innings, Anderson said age was irrelevant [as he heads into the twilight of his playing career] adding that he was “desperate to prove my place in the team”. England will be hopeful of Jofra Archer’s return for the third Test in Port Elizabeth after the quick missed out on the second Test with an elbow niggle.