England sweat over James Anderson's fitness ahead of Ashes 2023

England's preparationfor Ashes 2023 received a major blow after veteran pacer James Anderson suffered a groin injury while representing Lancashire in the County Championship.

40-year-old Anderson limped off the field on Day 1 and played no part across the final three days of the game, which ended on Sunday.

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The ECB confirmed that the veteran pacer sustained a mild strain to his right groin, and his fitness will be assessed nearer to England's one-off Test against Ireland, starting June 1, at Lord's cricket ground.

With pacer Olly Stone suffering from a hamstring injury and Jofra Archer recovering from a recurring elbow injury, the unavailability of Anderson will dent England's chances to win Ashes after 2015.

Anderson is the third-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket with 685 scalps in 179 games