England lose Roland-Jones for season

England and Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones has been ruled out for the rest of the 2018 season after suffering a recurrence of a stress fracture to his back, the county announced on Thursday.

The 30-year-old made an impressive start to his international career last year, taking 17 wickets in four Tests against South Africa and the West Indies at an average of 19.64.

Roland-Jones suffered soreness in his back during the recent game at Derbyshire, which ruled him out of bowling in the second half of the match. Scans confirmed a recurrence of the stress fracture he suffered in September.

"Everybody at the club is devastated for Toby and our immediate thoughts are with him, and that he makes a full recovery," said Middlesex managing director of cricket Angus Fraser.

"I know how frustrating it can be to miss a summer of cricket through injury, having been through this myself on two occasions. The ray of light is that you do recover and you do come back stronger and even more determined."

England have a seven-Test home summer with the visit of Pakistan (two Tests) and India (five), and a fit Roland-Jones would likely have factored into selectors' thinking as a back-up pace option.

Joe Root's team has failed to take 20 wickets in any of their past seven Tests, stretching back to the beginning of last summer's Ashes in Australia.

Meanwhile, Test quicks James Anderson and Stuart Broad are set to return to action for Lancashire and Nottinghamshire respectively next month, with the pair to face off in a County Championship Division One.

Anderson has been cleared to play games against Somerset (May 4) and Notts (May 11), while Broad looks like to return at Trent Bridge against his fast-bowling partner's Lancashire.

"We know Jimmy loves playing for Lancashire, and having him back in contention will be a real boost," said Lancashire head coach Glen Chapple.