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Injury doubt hangs over Anderson

Image: James Anderson: fitness doubt for Thursday

England bowler James Anderson remains a doubt for Thursday's fourth Test at The Oval after not bowling in practice on Tuesday.

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Spearhead unable to take part in full training

England bowler James Anderson remains a doubt for Thursday's fourth Test at The Oval after not bowling in practice on Tuesday. The Lancashire seamer appeared to show little discomfort from his thigh injury - described by the England and Wales Cricket Board as "minor" - during fielding drills. However, unlike his fellow bowlers in the squad he did not turn his arm over. Graeme Swann told reporters he had been unaware of Anderson's injury, and the off-spinner appears confident his team-mate will be fit in time to play. "I honestly didn't know he was injured until this morning when he told me everyone was saying he's not going to play," he said.

Stiffness

"Jimmy seemed fine to me - I'm sure it's just a bit of stiffness. He didn't seem to be limping from the car. "I'm sure once he gets running around, he'll want to play. I know how well he's bowling at the minute - and when he's doing well he's hungry for the ball and just wants to keep going." Swann concedes it would be a blow to England, newly-established as the world's top Test team, if Anderson were unavailable - but emphasises others could deputise admirably. "He would be a huge loss, like any of the seamers," he said. "But we thought that with (Chris) Tremlett when he couldn't play at Trent Bridge, and up stepped Bressie [Tim Bresnan] - and he's been unbelievable in the two games he's played. We have got vast stocks of fast bowlers at the minute."