Ashes 2019: James Anderson ruled out of series as England confirm fourth Test squad

The ECB have confirmed that England's leading wicket-taker, who missed the drawn second Test and the victory over Australia at Headingley, felt calf pain during an outing for the Lancashire second XI

James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes series.

The ECB have confirmed that England's leading wicket-taker, who missed the drawn second Test and the victory over Australia at Headingley, felt calf pain during an outing for the Lancashire second XI against Durham and will now miss the remaining two matches.

The 37-year-old was already struggling with the injury sustained earlier in the summer and exacerbated it in the opening Test but this setback in his recovery will now end his participation in the series.

Somerset's Craig Overton comes in as an added option in Anderson's absence in the only change to the 13-man squad for the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

That means batsman Jason Roy, under pressure at the top of the order, will get another chance to impress.

All-rounder Sam Curran remains the favourite to come in with Chris Woakes a candidate to be rested after a hectic summer with both red ball and white.

The fourth Test begins in Manchester on September 4th.

Full squad

Joe Root (Yorkshire), Jofra Archer (Sussex), Jonny Bairstow (Yorkshire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Rory Burns (Surrey), Jos Buttler (Lancashire), Sam Curran (Surrey), Joe Denly (Kent), Jack Leach (Somerset), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jason Roy (Surrey), Ben Stokes (Durham), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire)