Anderson set for club cricket

Jimmy Anderson is set to return to action in club cricket when he turns out for his club side in Burnley on Saturday, but will only play as a batsman. He has been out with a stress fracture of the back since the end of the tour of India, but has slowly been stepping up his recovery by bowling in the nets with England.

Anderson spent six weeks in back brace during his recovery and both England and Lancashire have been very careful not to rush his return. However, the medical teams now believe he is ready to take his first steps back to playing, although a return to first-class action is still unlikely before the end of the season and he isn't ready to bowl in a match.

Mike Watkinson, Lancashire's cricket manager, said: "It is simply to get some cricket miles in his legs, have a bat and spend some time in the field, and hopefully to relieve his boredom as well."

Anderson has been named in England's 30-man squad for the Champions Trophy, and will still have one eye on the Ashes tour, although he will have had very little cricket.