England pace bowler James Anderson will miss the final two Tests in South Africa after suffering a rib injury during their dramatic victory in Cape Town.
Anderson sustained the problem on the final day of the second Test and MRI scans confirmed he won’t be back in action until after the current tour.
It is a bitter blow for the 37-year-old, who was just two games into his comeback following the calf injury he endured in last summer’s Ashes series.
“James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against South Africa after sustaining a left rib injury in England’s second Test victory at Newlands,” an ECB statement said.
“Anderson felt tightness and discomfort at the end of the morning session on day five and was only able to bowl eight overs during the day. He will return to the UK in the next few days.”
Anderson tweeted: “Frustrating to be missing the rest of this series with a broken rib but hopefully will be healed in a few weeks! Will be supporting the boys from home.”