James Anderson out of first Test against South Africa

England paceman James Anderson has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa with a calf strain, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.

England will be without their pace-bowling talisman Jimmy Anderson when they take on South Africa in the first Test match on Boxing Day.

England paceman James Anderson has been ruled out of the first Test against South Africa with a calf strain, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Thursday.

Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, underwent a scan on his right calf muscle on Tuesday and will not be risked for the first Test, which begins on Boxing Day. England hope that the 33-year-old will be fit for the second Test in Cape Town on January 2.

BREAKING: >@jimmy9 ruled out of the first Test vs >@OfficialCSA with a calf strain. He'll be assessed for 2nd Test. >pic.twitter.com/PxjZlAlYwu

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) >December 24, 2015

Anderson was present for training on the Kingsmead outfield on Thursday, but was restricted to kicking a football around with bowling coach Ottis Gibson. Warwickshire's Chris Woakes is expected to take his place for the first Test.