England pacer James Anderson is set to miss the opening Ashes Test due to injury, said repot on Tuesday, dealing a blow to England chances in the series.
England and Austraia will face off in high-octane Ashes series starting December 8 in Brisbane.
In the absence of Anderson, England will be left with four fast bowlers to pick from- Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, Ollie Robinson and Stuart Board to play alongside all-rounder Ben Stokes.
England are already without Jofra Archer and if Ben Stokes will not be first for starting games then they would have only Stuart Broad as the experience pacer in the lineup. Chris Woakes is also the part of the England squad but he has been in and out of squad on a regular basis.
At pre-match press-conference, England skipper Joer Root chose not to disclose the playing XI of the first match before it starts.
“I’m not into mind games, I’m just not in a position right now to name my team,” Root told journalists.
“Fair play that they’ve announced their eleven. Doesn’t really concern me or change anything from our perspective. We’ll conduct our business how we want to and let you know when we’re ready.”
