Further injuries hurt England

James Anderson and Jon Lewis are both battling injuries ahead of the next Commonwealth Bank Series match on Friday against Australia in Adelaide.

Anderson is suffering back stiffness while Lewis turned his ankle. Both players missed training today which could give one or two of the backup pacemen Chris Tremlett, Sajid Mahmood and Liam Plunkett a chance to impress against Australia.

Although the three reserve players are short of top level experience senior batsmen Paul Collingwood backed them to give a good showing of themselves should they be given the chance.

Collingwood said “Tremlett had a bit of an outing in Brisbane and looked pretty impressive, so if (Lewis and Anderson are) not fit they’re raring to go, bowling well in the net and ready to fill their places.”

“I think we’re missing some key players in the side but certainly the players who have come in are capable of stepping up to the plate and doing a job.”

England are currently last in the tri-series having lost to New Zealand on Tuesday.