Anderson doubtful for first SA Test

James Anderson's chance of being fit for the first Test of the summer against South Africa will become clearer on Sunday when he has a scan on his groin injury.

Anderson collapsed in agony on Friday while bowling for Lancashire in the Roses match. A spokesman for the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed he will not be bowl again in the current match against Yorkshire and will be assessed by England's medical staff after Sunday's scan.

Anderson, England's all-time leading wicket-taker, still has time to be fit for the first Test against South Africa, starting on July 7 at Lord's, but the injury threatens to cut down his chances to prove he is still among England's first-choice bowlers.

Lancashire have another four championship matches before then so Anderson will have opportunities to prove his fitness, depending on the severity of the injury, and his county are hopeful the problem is not as bad as first feared.

Without Anderson in the attack it was a tough day for Lancashire. Rain ate into most of the day's play but, once it dried up, Jack Leaning scored a century to put Yorkshire into a commanding position. Leaning and Jack Brooks set a new eighth-wicket record in Roses matches, adding 165 as Lancashire were batted out of the game with Yorkshire closing the day on 421 for seven. Brooks smashed four sixes, finishing the day on 94 not out, six short of a maiden first-class century.