Anderson heads home

James Anderson is returning home early from the Commonwealth Bank Series in Australia after suffering a back injury.

Although he is returning home, England management are confident he will be fit for the start of the World Cup in the Caribbean in mid-March.

An England team spokesman said it was a “precautionary measure” in sending Anderson home after he was out of cricket for several months last year after suffering a stress fracture in his back.

Anderson was one of England’s few success stories with the fast bowler taking eight wickets from four matches at an average of 20.62 in the Commonwealth Bank Series.