England have admitted for the first time to concerns over James Anderson's fitness for next week's opening Test.

Anderson was the only member of England's attack — minus Adil Rashid, who has stayed with the Performance Programme in Pretoria — not to bowl as the rain relented to allow outdoor practice.

Asked afterwards if there is a question mark over Anderson’s readiness for the first Test, coach Andy Flower said: “Yes, there is.”

He was nonetheless equivocal on what has become an increasingly confusing topic.

“He is one of our main bowlers, our strike bowler. I think he'll be ready,” said Flower.