Graeme Swann and James Anderson are good friends and are regular tweeters. —Photo by Reuters
Graeme Swann and James Anderson are good friends and are regular tweeters. —Photo by Reuters

COLOMBO: England paceman James Anderson revealed on Saturday that he needed two stitches in his cheek after a bout of horseplay with teammate Graeme Swann.

“The 2 stitches in my cheek, given to me by a so called friend, r coming out! Can’t get rid of black eyes as easily,” the 28-year-old wrote on his Twitter account before Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Sri Lanka.

Anderson, who was not selected for the game, told the Daily Mirror on Thursday: “You may see a slight scar on the side of my face in pictures this week.

“Rest assured no one has hit me while batting – that is still as good as ever. It was just a little accident caused by one of Swanny’s clumsier moments during some horseplay.

“He looked horrified when he did it, but now he’s jealous because men with scars look cool,” the bowler said.

The winner of Saturday’s game will meet New Zealand in the semi-finals in Colombo on Tuesday.

Opinion

Editorial

Climate choices
Updated 15 Jun, 2026

Climate choices

The country is confronting increasingly volatile weather patterns with consequences for agriculture, infrastructure, public health and economic planning.
Brief opening
15 Jun, 2026

Brief opening

WE have been here before. Throughout the weekend, there was great anticipation that a tentative framework for peace...
Environmental disaster
15 Jun, 2026

Environmental disaster

IT was a heartbreaking sight. A recent news report in these pages carried a picture of a sea turtle lying half ...
Budget presser
Updated 14 Jun, 2026

Budget presser

If the FBR falters, the government will find itself in hot water sooner rather than later.
Muharram precautions
14 Jun, 2026

Muharram precautions

WITH Muharram due to start next week, the authorities have already begun annual exercises to ensure that the ...
Blood bequests
14 Jun, 2026

Blood bequests

WORLD Blood Donor Day offers a moment of “gratitude, advocacy and renewed commitment” for thalassaemia patients...