England v Pakistan: James Anderson banned from bowling for the rest of Pakistan’s innings for infringing on ‘danger zone’ of wicket

JAMES ANDERSON will not be allowed to bowl for the rest of Pakistan’s first innings at Edgbaston.

England’s best bowler had been warned twice by umpires for ‘running on the wicket’ before he was finally booted out of the attack.

However, the decision was made somewhat harshly as on the final call, his boot encroached on the ‘danger zone’ by a matter of millimetres.

It is not the first time this series the umpires have taken the old rule a little too far, as bowlers from both sides have been warned continually – and slightly unfairly at times – throughout the matches at Lord’s and Old Trafford.

Former England spinner Phil Tufnell called the decision to bar Jimmy, 34, from bowling ‘harsh’.

He said: “That is an inch of heel on the bottom corner of the danger area? That’s extraordinary.

“I don’t think he’ll be buying the umpire a pint tonight. That’s harsh.”

The incident happened with Anderson’s first ball of the over, meaning the furious bowler – who had fallen out with umpires already on Thursday – had to chuck the ball to team-mate Finn to complete his set of six.

Meanwhile, Chris Woakes continued his series charge, becoming the first England bowler other than Anderson, Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann to take 20 wickets in a series since 2008 when Ryan Sidebottom managed the incredible feat.

The Warwickshire all-rounder, 27, took the wicket of Mohammad Amir for his third of the innings and 20th of the series, in just the third match of the four-Test series.