Ashes 2019: 3 Players who can replace James Anderson at the Lord's Test

The great James Anderson will not be playing the second Ashes Test at Lord's starting from 14th August. Anderson has had issues with calf injuries over the years, and during the first day's play at Edgbaston, he had a niggle which didn't let him bowl further.

The 37-year-old had torn his calf muscle while bowling for Lancashire in early July this year. Although, he did pass the fitness tests in the lead-up to the first Ashes Test, Anderson's absence in the bowling line-up was felt by England, who lost to Australia by a huge margin of 251 runs, despite having them at 122/8 at one stage in the first innings.

The England Cricket Board will assume that Anderson will be ready for the final three games. There are not a lot of people who can fill Anderson's shoes, but here are three players who can replace the pacer in the playing XI for the Lord's Test.

#3 Jack Leach

Jack Leach made 92 against Ireland in July

Unpopular option, but the way the ball was turning and gripping from Day 3 on the Edgbaston track would've delighted any spinner. Unfortunately, Moeen Ali wasn't able to deliver what Nathan Lyon did for his side. So, this time England might go out with two spinners to test Australia's batting unit.

Jack Leach is a decent player. He does not get the ball to turn as much as Ali, but he's quite accurate with his line and lengths. It will be interesting to see how Steve Smith plays him. Smith is not at his best while facing left-arm spin, averaging just over 35.

Leach made his Test debut against New Zealand in Christchurch in 2018, and since then, he has played 5 Tests and has picked up 20 scalps at an average of 26.60, with his best figures being 5/83. Leach is also handy with the bat as he recently scored 92 against Ireland while opening the batting for England.

#2 Sam Curran

Sam Curran could replace Jimmy Anderson

A left-arm seamer who tries to swing the ball every time he gets his hands on the red cherry, Sam Curran is an effective batsman down the order as well. Curran got his chance at the highest level against Pakistan in 2018.

Curran's most notable moment came during England's home series last year against the number one Test side in the world - India. Originally, Curran was selected as a bowler, but it was his heroics with the bat, coming at number seven that helped England on a number of occasions after their top and middle-order failed to deliver time and time again.

It came as a no wonder when he was awarded as the Player of the Series, that England won quite comprehensively. He then played a vital role in whitewashing Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. Curran has played 10 Tests and has 18 wickets at an average of 30. Also, he averages 32 with the bat, with his best score being 78.

#1 Jofra Archer

Jofra can make his debut at Lords

When England lost the first Test to Australia by a margin of 251 runs, everyone was quick to blame the English bowling attack. Start Broad, Chris Woakes, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali weren't able to stop Steve Smith in both the innings. England's batting also crumbled on the final day as they got bowled out for 146 in their second innings.

After the game at Edgbaston, England's X-Factor bowler, Jofra Archer, shredded through the Glouchesteshire batting attack in a second division County Championship match by taking 6-27.

And with England still searching for a way to get Steve Smith out, Archer might be thrown into the mix at Lord's. Archer was Eoin Morgan's mainstay bowler during the 2019 edition of World Cup and the calf injury to Anderson could be the moment which makes him the mainstay bowler in the Test side as well. It's still one week from the Lord's Test and England will be under severe pressure to level the series.