With the Ashes series just a month away, England cricket team faced a major injury scare after their veteran bowler James Anderson was forced off the field with tightness in his right calf on day three of Lancashire's County Championship game against Durham.

The spearhead of England’s bowling attack could only bowl eight deliveries before the injury eventually forced him off on the third morning at Sedbergh School.

James Anderson’s injury is sure to be a concern to the selectors ahead of the five-match series against arch-rivals Australia.

An England and Wales Cricket Board statement said: "Jimmy Anderson has sustained tightness to his right calf. He will not bowl again in the game and will continue to be assessed."

Anderson, who took his 950th first-class wicket on Monday, is one of the best speedster of all time. The paceman is currently not a part of England’s World Cup squad as he no longer takes part in one-day-internationals.

His 575 wickets from 148 matches in the five-day game place him fourth in the all-time list of Test wicket-takers.

The first Ashes Test is scheduled to start at Edgbaston in Birmingham on August 1.

Australia hold the Ashes but they have not won a Test series in England since 2001.