England will be without their star bowler James Anderson as he will be rested for the opening Ashes Test at Gabba. The team management has confirmed that Anderson will be rested on account of workload management as the series might take a heavy toll on him. England's record wicket-taker has 632 wickets to his name and will be a big shoe to fill. Chris Woakes or Jack Leach will replace Anderson in the first Test starting from December 8, 2021, in Brisbane.
There are also injury concerns behind the decision the players fitness will play a major part as 39-year-old Anderson is likely to announce his retirement if England triumph down under. During the 2019 Ashes series in England, the veteran bowler had injury worries and was sidelined from the entire Ashes. He was only able to bowl four overs that time before opting-out from the English summer in 2019. This time England management are in no mood to take any risk regarding the pacer and thus have decided to rest him for the opener at Gabba.
Australian summer begins with Gabba Test
Australia will be hosting England for the Ashes this summer. Both the countries are going to play five test matches this summer. The first test will commence on December 8, 2021 at the Gabba, Brisbane. The next match will be played at Adelaide, then Melbourne, Sydney and the last Test yet to be decided after Perth being ruled out to host. Currently, Australia are the current holders of Ashes and England would be looking to regain them from their soil.
