South Africa vs England: Anderson ruled out of Test series

England fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the tour to South Africa with a rib injury.

Anderson sustained the injury during the second innings of the second Test having claimed his 28th career five wicket haul in the first dig.

Anderson bowls through the pain of a cracked rib

England’s all-time leading wicket-taker bowled through pain in the second innings to claim 2 for 23 but in doing so has aggravated the injury further.

Anderson underwent a scan in Cape Town after the second Test which confirmed that he had cracked a rib on his left side. The injury is expected to take up to eight weeks to fully heal, which means the quick will miss the rest of the Test series.

“England seamer James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against South Africa,” a Statement from the ECB reads.

“Anderson [sustained] a left rib injury in England’s second Test victory at Newlands and underwent an MRI scan in Cape Town on Wednesday morning.

“Anderson felt tightness and discomfort at the end of the morning session on day five and was only able to bowl eight overs during the day.”

Overton remains with the England squad as cover

England have not named a replacement since Somerset seamer Craig Overton had already been called into the squad after illness ravaged the tourists ahead of the first Test. Anderson will return home to England to begin a programme of rest and rehabilitation.

“Frustrating to be missing the rest of this series with a broken rib but hopefully will be healed in a few weeks!” Anderson wrote on Twitter. “Will be supporting the boys from home.”

Anderson needs just 16 more wickets to become the fourth man, and first fast bowler, to claim 600 Test wickets.

The record-breaking paceman faces a race to be fit in time for England’s tour of Sri Lanka, a trip he previously indicated he may sit out, due to the likelihood that the surfaces on the island would not suit him.

The injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for the 37-year-old and has led many to suggest that retirement could be imminent for the most successful fast bowler of all time.

Jofra Archer, who missed out on the victory at Newlands, is expected to come into the Test XI for the third Test in Port Elizabeth.