Injury fears ease for England's Anderson

England spearhead Jimmy Anderson has been diagnosed with shoulder bruising but has been all but cleared to play the second Ashes Test in Adelaide.

England bowler James Anderson

England bowler James Anderson appeared to be hampered by a side injury during the first Ashes Test. (AAP)

Injury fears for Jimmy Anderson have eased after the England spearhead was diagnosed with shoulder bruising and all but cleared for the second Ashes Test.

Four years after being threatened with a broken arm at the Gabba crease, Anderson is nursing a sore shoulder after being struck while batting in England's first innings in the first Test in Brisbane.

Alarm bells were ringing for the visitors after Anderson was rarely sighted with the ball in England's time of need on day three, coming on and off the field after clutching his side.

England confirmed on Sunday that Anderson had suffered right shoulder bruising but "it won't affect his bowling".

England said Anderson was injured when hit in their first dig four years after then Australian captain Michael Clarke infamously told the niggling seamer to "get ready for a broken "f***ing arm" while batting at the Gabba Test.

Despite initial England denials, Anderson appeared restricted as Steve Smith guided Australia from 4-76 to a first innings total of 328, grabbing what seemed an unlikely first innings lead.

Anderson struggled towards the end of the first session on Saturday when Australia were in trouble at 7-209.

He bowled just four overs in the middle session while spending some time off the field.

"I hope it's just a knock he got in the first innings batting that has just got a bit tight at the end of the day but it doesn't look right for me," former England spinner Graeme Swann told BT Sport.

"But he is as tough as old boots, Jimmy."

England will be sweating on Anderson -- who has 508 Test scalps -- ahead of the day-night Test in Adelaide, where the veteran is set to shine with the pink ball.

Concerns for allrounder Moeen Ali have also eased after he came to the crease in England's second innings on Sunday.

At first it was feared Moeen had aggravated a side strain that limited him to one warm-up match.

But it was revealed Moeen had suffered a nasty cut on his spinning finger after bowling just 11 overs on day three.

He finished with 2-74 but had little impact compared to the sharp turn extracted by Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon.

Moeen has stepped into the allrounder role in Ben Stokes's absence.


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Source: AAP



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