Injured Anderson to miss Bangladesh tour

Jake Ball was added to Test squad, but selectors would consider further replacement at a later date

LONDON: England pace bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the team’s Test series against Bangladesh next month after the 34-year-old failed to recover fully from a shoulder injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Thursday.

Anderson, who is England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, sustained a stress fracture during the home series against Sri Lanka in June, though he did play three Tests against Pakistan in July and August.

"He [Anderson] requires more time to ensure optimal healing of a stress fracture he sustained during the summer," the ECB said in a statement.



Nottinghamshire's Jake Ball was added to the Test squad but the selectors would consider a further replacement at a later date, the board said.

England play three ODIs beginning on October 7, followed by Tests in Chittagong from October 20 and Dhaka from October 28 before they begin a tour of India, which includes five Tests with the first starting on November 9.

Earlier, it was reported that Anderson might sit out of some Test matches in the upcoming tours.



While talking to reporters, the right-arm pacer said, “It’s a tough one because as a player if you’re fit you want to play, simple as that, no matter what the format you’re desperate to play.”

He added: “But there may well come a time when it will get managed. At 34 I probably have to manage myself, be managed, quite well. You want, if possible, to play every Test but India is going to be five back-to-back and that’s a huge ask for any bowler. There will probably come a point where we try to look and maybe I’ve got to sit out.”

Mark Wood out with ankle injury

England pacer Mark Wood has also been ruled out of the team's tour of Bangladesh following recurrence of his recent injury.

The Durham seamer has had a recurrence of left ankle symptoms and was replaced by Middlesex's Steven Finn in the one-day squad.