Jimmy Anderson has been ruled out of the second Ashes test at Lord's, as the veteran's calf injury continues to prove a major boost to Australia's pursuit of a breakthrough series win in England.
Anderson returned from a month-long stint on the sidelines at Edgbaston, after convincing himself, medicos, selectors, coach Trevor Bayliss and captain Joe Root that he had recovered from injury.
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But the 37-year-old tweaked the same calf muscle after only four overs with the new ball on day one of the first test.
Anderson failed to bowl again in the match and it is unclear when he will be fit to return in the five-test series.
The hosts will be particularly reluctant to rush the right-armer, after his premature comeback left Root a bowler down in Birmingham.
At this stage, England are only ruling a line through their all-time leading wicket-taker for the clash in London that starts next Wednesday night (NZT).
England released a statement the morning after their 251-run loss, noting Anderson's availability for the rest of the Ashes series would be monitored.
Jofra Archer is expected to make his test debut at Lord's, although the World Cup hero will have to prove his fitness playing for Sussex's second XI this week, as he recovers from a side strain.
Tim Paine didn't attempt to downplay the significance of Anderson's absence during his post-match press conference.
"Anderson's one of the best, if not the best bowler in the world, particularly over here in England," Paine said.
"So it made it difficult for their team - it put a lot of workload into their allrounder Ben Stokes. Guys had to bowl more overs than they've probably been used to having to bowl with Jimmy in the side.
"You'd be lying if you said, psychologically, it didn't make a difference to our team and, physically, to theirs as well. It's a big win for us - they lost their premier bowler."
England's pace depth will be tested in this series, with injured 2015 Ashes winner Mark Wood also unavailable.
Root denied that picking Anderson in the first test was a mistake.
"Not at all," said Root. "He passed every medical testing - he was fit to play.
"It's one of those freak scenarios. It was a unanimous decision for him to play."
AAP
