Anderson optimistic of facing Pakistan at Lord's

The 33-year-old bowled in the nets at Lord's on Thursday and hopes to be fully fit for the first of four Tests, which starts on July 14. He took 21 wickets as England won the recent three-match Test series against Sri Lanka 2-0.

England fast bowler James Anderson is all geared up for the home series against Pakistan.

England seamer James Anderson is "optimistic" that he will be passed fit for the first Test against Pakistan this month as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Anderson, England's leading wicket-taker in Tests, sustained a stress fracture of his right shoulder and there have been doubts over his participation in the series-opener at Lord's. The 33-year-old bowled in the nets at Lord's on Thursday and hopes to be fully fit for the first of four Tests, which starts on July 14.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "I'm not playing [for Lancashire in the County Championship] against Notts [a game which starts on Sunday], but I'll be at Trent Bridge and will do some more work on my bowling. "Gently to begin with, let's see how it goes, "I've been doing some weights and gym sessions with no problems. So I'm optimistic that I'll be okay for Lord's. But it's all a bit into new territory - it's not a very common injury.

"It was only discovered when I had a scan to look at some muscle damage in my right shoulder. I'd been aware of that for a little while but I felt it most when I sent down my final delivery of the Lord's Test against Sri Lanka." Anderson took 21 wickets as England won the recent three-match Test series against Sri Lanka 2-0.