James Anderson out of first Test

ENGLAND head coach Trevor Bayliss admits James Anderson’s fitness is a worry ahead of the Boxing Day Test against South Africa.

Finn also strengthened his claims for the third-seamer spot with six scalps in 19 overs on his return to the side following a foot injury.

After being ruled out of a side strain in the Ashes earlier in the year, he returned to play the series against Pakistan in the UAE and was England’s leading wicket-taker.

Moeen Ali, meanwhile, has promised to play with freedom against South Africa, after a confidence-boosting end to England’s Test warm-ups.

“It was good to see our top four guys score runs”. Being aware that it is a challenge to play against South Africa, he has urged his team to play extremely well in order to win the series.

England are increasingly mindful of his workload and may blanch at the prospect of committing him to the possibility of 10 days cricket out of 12.

“Any Test match is fantastic to be involved in but it’s that special time of the year when a lot of the players families are around as well so it is something special”.

He was sent for a scan on the problem, the results of which have confirmed that he will not be fit enough to bowl in Durban.

According to Sky Sports News HQ reporter Tim Abraham, Anderson has been struggling with a tight right calf throughout the ongoing tour.

No practice is scheduled for today, leaving just two more sessions – on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – for Anderson to prove his fitness. “I don’t think it’s too bad but he feels a little bit uncomfortable with that”.

Left-arm fast bowler Mark Footitt had nightwatchman Marchant de Lange caught at short leg off the first ball of the day to reduce the South African second string to 35 for three.

Ticket sales for the opening days of the first two tests in Durban and Cape Town are way up on past averages and approaching the prospect of a rare sell-out crowd.

South Africa: Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Stiaan van Zyl, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Jean-Paul Duminy, Kyle Abbott, Dane Piedt, Dean Elgar, Rilee Rossouw, Kagiso Rabada, Morne Morkel, Dale Steyn.

He said: “It was good because the ball spun up front and that’s what made it a bit hard for the batsmen”.

“It’s good to have everyone in form now”.