England 'hold their breath' as James Anderson undergoes scans on latest injury

Record wicket-taker a doubt for rest of series after picking up side problem in second Test win over South Africa

England coach Chris Silverwood, right, admitted he fears James Anderson could miss the rest of the series in South Africa. Getty

England are "holding their breath" over record wicket-taker James Anderson's latest injury.

Anderson – who took seven wickets in England's second Test win against South Africa, including 5-40 in the first innings – is to undergo scans on a side injury after struggling through the fifth day at Newlands.

"He's been such a great servant that we're holding our breath and [have] fingers crossed for him," Ashley Giles, director of England men's cricket, said. "We'll be desperate if Jim was injured again. He's worked so hard to get back in the team.

"He bowled like a demon in that first innings and that mix of youth and experience we have in the team is just so valuable. We certainly don't think it's a recurrence of his previous injury."

Anderson has just returned from a five-month lay-off with a calf problem picked up on Day 1 of the first Ashes Test against Australia last summer.

The 37-year-old – who is fourth on the all-time record wicket-takers list with 584 scalps, just 35 shy of third-placed India spinner Anil Kumble – was visibly labouring as the game reached its conclusion.

Anderson spent time off the field in the middle session and managed just two overs after tea.

He grimaced through those, although he remained involved and took a key catch at leg-slip to dismiss Rassie Van Der Dussen.

England captain Joe Root, speaking after his side had levelled the four-match series in Cape Town, said Anderson's fitness was a waiting game.

"He'll go for a scan, get some treatment and we'll see how he pulls up going into the next Test in Port Elizabeth," said Root.

"It's his side, but it could be just a little niggle. It could be a 24 to 48-hour thing or it could be something else.

"Until we have more information, we'll just treat it as best we can and fingers crossed he's not another casualty of this tour."

Coach Chris Silverwood admitted he fears Anderson could now miss some or all of the rest of the series.

"It's always going to be a concern for the coach and a concern for the team," he said. "We want him in there – he's a great bowler. But we've got to make sure he's all right now."

Eleven England players have suffered with illness in South Africa, while opener Rory Burns flew home after injuring his left ankle playing football on the eve of the game and has now been ruled out for four months.

South Africa opened the series with a 107-run victory in Centurion before England's fightback at Newlands in the second Test.

The third Test starts on January 16, with a quick turnaround before the final contest at Johannesburg's Wanderers Stadium on January 24.

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