Cape Town: England fast bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the final two tests of the four-match series against South Africa due to a rib injury as the ‘cursed’ tour claimed another victim.

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Anderson sustained a rib injury in England’s 189-run win in the second test at Newlands and underwent an MRI scan in Cape Town.

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“England seamer James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series against South Africa,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Wednesday.

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It is the latest in a number of setbacks for England who despite the mishaps levelled the series with a thrilling victory on Tuesday.

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Opener Rory Burns underwent surgery in London this week after he injured his ankle in a soccer kickabout on the eve of the second test.

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Jofra Archer also missed the Cape Town match because of an elbow injury, although scans have since cleared him to play in the rest of the tour.

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About 10 players and more support staff were laid low by a mystery virus that swept through the squad before the first test in Pretoria.

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England all-rounder Ben Stokes has labelled the tour as ‘cursed’. His father suffered a stroke days after arriving in the country to watch his son and remains in hospital in Johannesburg.

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Anderson, England’s leading test wicket-taker, returned to the side following a lengthy layoff due to a calf injury last year, claiming five wickets in the first innings at Cape Town and two in the second before pulling up injured.

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The third test begins in Port Elizabeth on January 16.

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