Anderson ruled out of first Test

Cape Town - England's all-time leading Test wicket taker James Anderson has been ruled out of the Boxing Day Test against the Proteas in Durban. 

Anderson had complained of a tightness in his calf on Monday, and on Thursday the England Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on their website that the 33-year-old would not feature at Kingsmead. 

Anderson will undergo another fitness test during the first clash of the series, and is expected to feature in the second Test in Cape Town starting on January 2.

England coach Trevor Bayliss told the website that Anderson's role as the leader in the England bowling attack would be filled by Stuart Broad. 

"From Stuart's point of view we've got an obvious replacement as leader of the attack there and I'm sure he would show that he could handle that as he did against Australia in the fourth Test," said Bayliss.

"It's always a concern if your leading bowler or leading batter misses a game, but the last time Jimmy missed one we did pretty well so you never know."