Kirtley to stay as Anderson cover

Fast bowler James Kirtley will remain in Sri Lanka as cover for the injured James Anderson during the forthcoming Test series.

Fast bowler James Kirtley will remain in Sri Lanka as cover for the injured James Anderson during the forthcoming test series, an England team spokesman said on Friday.

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Anderson twisted his ankle playing squash on Wednesday night and although x-rays revealed no bone problem an MRI scan showed soft tissue damage.

England's physio Dean Conway predicted that Anderson would be out for about two weeks, which would make him doubtful for the first test starting on December 2.

"James Kirtley will stay in Sri Lanka as cover until such time as Jimmy (Anderson) recovers," Mark Hodgson, England's media spokesman, told reporters.

Anderson's injury was England's second blow in the space of 24 hours after Steve Harmison, the main strike bowler, failed a fitness test on his injured lower back.

"The opportunity to play would be great but my concern now is for Jimmy (Anderson)," said Kirtley, picked originally only for the one-day series currently being played.

"He has worked very hard over the summer and when he is in the team England have a very good side."

Kirtley has played 10 one-dayers and two test matches for England, during which he took 13 wickets.

England are due to play three tests next month in Galle, Kandy and Colombo.