Anderson called up as cover

James Anderson has been called into the England squad for the first npower Test to boost their bowling options against West Indies at Lord's.

The 24-year-old Lancashire seamer was drafted into the squad following talks between England coach Peter Moores and Mike Watkinson, his counterpart at Old Trafford.

Anderson will drive down after playing the morning session for Lancashire against Worcestershire at Old Trafford and provide cover for the rest of the squad overnight before returning to Manchester if not needed.

His call-up is part of a new scheme introduced by Moores following his appointment as coach to have a standby player join the squad the night before each Test to give them extra options, who will be released if not required.

The chances of Anderson making the starting line-up appeared to decreased on Wednesday morning anyway with Andrew Flintoff bowling out in the middle at Lord's apparently without any discomfort with his troublesome left ankle.

Should Flintoff fail to convince England of his fitness, Middlesex batsman Owais Shah is likely to be called in as his replacement while a four-man attack is expected to face West Indies.