England 'hopeful' of James Anderson being fit for South Africa tour, claims Ashley Giles

On the very first day of the 2019 Ashes, England were dealt a body blow as pace ace James Anderson walked off the field after bowling just four overs, owing to a calf injury. The injury ruled Anderson out of the rest of the Ashes and the subsequent Tests against New Zealand, but Ashley Giles is confident that the pacer will be fit in time for the Tests against South Africa, which will commence from Boxing Day.

"Jimmy is going out to Potchefstroom. We're hopeful. We think he is on track, which is great. The medical team are happy," Giles told BBC, reported ESPNCricinfo.

Giles also feels that there was no point in rushing Anderson back for the New Zealand series, with it being short and not part of the World Test Championship. The former English cricketer also expects a bowling war in the Tests against the Proteas and feels that the home team will dish out green tracks in hope of disrupting the English batsmen. 

"The older you get these things linger longer. We felt no point forcing it for this short tour (New Zealand). It will be interesting to see the pitches we play on in South Africa.

"I think they'll be green and they'll go for a bowler war and take us on. It's not something I'd take on with Jofra Archer and Jimmy Anderson, but it will be an exciting series."

England will play two Tests against the Kiwis, starting November 21, after which they will travel to South Africa in December to play four Tests, three ODIs and three T20Is.