England paceman Anderson out of Sri Lanka series

LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) England fast bowler James Anderson will miss the test series against Sri Lanka because of a back injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said today.

Anderson's county Lancashire has received scans which confirm the 23-year-old seamer suffered a stress fracture of the lower back, the ECB said. He will be out for at least two months and will also miss the five Sri Lanka one-day internationals.

Anderson has not featured for Lancashire since returning from England's tour of India and had been considered doubtful for the test series against Sri Lanka which starts on May 11.

''It is a huge blow to Jimmy,'' said Lancashire manager Mike Watkinson on the ECB website.

''He has worked hard and patiently at his cricket to get back into the test and ODI environment and obviously was hoping to be involved with England right through this summer.'' Watkinson said Anderson will see a specialist tomorrow and was likely to need at least six weeks of rest and rehabilitation.

''He will then have another scan and if that shows the injury has mended, he can start to ease himself back into bowling,'' added Watkinson. England later play Pakistan in four tests.

England suffered another blow yesterday when fast bowler Simon Jones left the field with knee trouble during Glamorgan's C&G Trophy match against Ireland.

Jones, who missed England's tours of India and Pakistan with ankle and knee problems, was also due to have a scan today.

England captain Michael Vaughan (knee injury), fast bowler Steve Harmison (shin) and spinner Ashley Giles (hernia) are all ruled out of the first test at Lord's.

Reuters PG RS1659