Ashes injury scare rocks England on day one
England will be sweating on the fitness of star paceman Jimmy Anderson for the rest of the opening Ashes Test in Edgbaston, after a calf complaint before lunch.
Anderson bowled just four overs in the opening session, feeling some tightness in his right calf at the conclusion of his final over.
In an official update from the England Cricket Board, it was revealed Anderson would be sent for scans to determine the extent of any injury.
BOO BIRDS: Ugly Ashes moment divides fans
The injury scare will come as sweet relief for a shellshocked Australia after a disastrous first session, in which David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja all fell cheaply.
England’s bowling attack will be compromised with Anderson off the field, with the likes of Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali to carry the burden.
Broad claimed the wickets of Warner and Bancroft, with Woakes dismissing Khawaja.
Under seige at 3/35, Steve Smith and Travis head fought back to steady the ship at lunch.
Jimmy Anderson off for a scan on the same calf that sidelined him up until this game for the past month ... could be a huge moment in this series 🏏 #Ashes2019
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) August 1, 2019
Really surprised with how England are dealing with Jimmy Anderson.
He went off the field early but came back on the field and looked very ginger. Why would they even take the risk of putting him back on the field?
Now he’s set to get scans on his calf. #Ashes— Lachlan McKirdy (@LMcKirdy7) August 1, 2019
Ridiculous that Jimmy Anderson was even selected. Pandering to senior players. We have excellent bowling depth now, let’s use it. #TheAshes2019 #englandcricket
— Jonathan Hungin (@JonathanHungin) August 1, 2019
Aussies off to dicey start at Edgbaston
Smith did not score as freely as Head, who slapped a couple of boundaries off both Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes, but looked a picture of concentration while facing 57 deliveries in Birmingham.
The former skipper, the only member of Australia's top order to stand up during the recent World Cup semi-final loss to England at the same venue, steadied in much-needed fashion after the loss of David Warner, Cameron Bancroft and Usman Khawaja.
Smith was 23 not out at the meal break, with Head unbeaten on 26.
Tim Paine's correct call of 'heads' meant that Warner and Bancroft, both playing their first Test since the sandpaper scandal, were immediately thrust into the middle of a hostile reception.
'RIDICULOUS': Ashes fans fume over controversial change
Smith followed soon after; Warner and Bancroft were back in the pavilion for single-figure scores after just 7.3 overs.
The Cape Town trio were predictably booed at every juncture, while some members of the crowd brandished sandpaper and screamed 'cheat'.
Jimmy Anderson, returning from a calf injury that kept him on the sidelines for a month, was a handful with the new ball but it was Stuart Broad who did the early damage.
Broad could have dismissed Warner with his first delivery, a leg-side loosener, but Joe Root opted against reviewing the caught-behind shout.
Broad trapped Warner lbw soon after.
The opener would have been reprieved if he reviewed the decision but Warner brushed past Bancroft and walked off the field, where a heightened security presence was on hand.
Bancroft was watchful early, stroked a couple of nice driven boundaries off Broad then was out edging as Root gleefully accepted the catch.
Khawaja, returning from a hamstring strain, fell on 13 when Root successfully reviewed a caught-behind shout off Chris Woakes.
Peter Siddle claimed the final spot in Australia's XI as selectors made six changes to the team that crushed Sri Lanka at Manuka Oval in February.
Warner, Bancroft, Smith, Siddle, Matthew Wade, James Pattinson have been called up in place of Marcus Harris, Joe Burns, Marnus Labuschagne, Kurtis Patterson, Mitchell Starc and Jhye Richardson.
Australia haven't won a Test at Edgbaston since 2001, the same year of their most recent Test series win in England.
WITH AAP
