India vs England: Anderson dismisses concerns over Root's fitness after star batter struck on finger on Day 3

England pacer James Anderson played down concerns surrounding an injury scare for Joe Root after the latter was stuck on his right little finger on Day 3 of the second Test against India in Visakhapatnam.

Root was hit on the finger during the 18th over of the Indian innings when he attempted to grab the ball that flew at him off an outside edge off Shubman Gill’s bat. The Indian No 3 played with hard hands off Tom Hartley’s bowling and ended up nicking the ball in the process.

The ball ended up rolling all the way to the third man fence for a boundary and Root was left in a state of discomfort, which forced him to head back to the English dressing room.

“Joe Root sustained an external blow to his right little finger, attempting a slip catch in the first session of D3. The England medical team will keep him off the field for the time being to treat and ice,” England team management said in an update.

Talking about Root not returning to the field for the remainder of the day’s play, the veteran pacer stated stated that it was simply a case of the England team management avoiding any further “external blow” and ensuring Root remained fully fit to walk out to bat during the visitors’ chase of the 399-run target on Day 4.

“Yeah he’s just been looking after it basically. He took a knock on it this morning in practice I think. He then took one in the field as well,” Anderson said during the post-day press conference.

“I don’t think there’s concern. Just making sure it’s as good as possible for tomorrow. There’s a chance we will need him with the bat. So it’s making sure he can hold a bat.

“It’s making sure he’s as good as he can be. There’s no point risking it for an external blow, no point risking it further out in the middle, so it’s making sure that he’s good enough to bat,” Anderson added.

Root hasn’t been among runs in the series but claimed 4 for 79 and 1 for 41 in the first Test in Hyderabad.

He was dismissed for 29 and 2 in that Test, while scoring just 5 in the first innings in Visakhapatnam.

England, who lead the five-match series 1-0, need 332 runs for a victory on the fourth day.

With PTI inputs