James Anderson and Stuart Broad have been ruled out of action for the rest of the season due to injury.

While neither man was named in the England limited-overs squads, both had hopes of playing county cricket with a view to helping their teams, Lancashire and Nottinghamshire respectively, avoid relegation in the County Championship.

A statement released by the ECB explained that "Anderson requires ongoing rehabilitation of his right shoulder and Broad, who last played in the NatWest T20 Finals Day for Nottinghamshire last week, is recovering from an ankle problem."

The news will come as a blow to both clubs. Nottinghamshire are currently bottom of the Division One table, 35 points beneath Durham, who are in seventh position (with a game in hand). Lancashire are sixth but, having won three of their first five games, have not won any of their last eight Championship matches in a run that extends back to May. The teams placed eighth and ninth will be relegated.

"Both players have managed their injuries through the summer," the ECB statement continued. "A break from cricket is needed to best prepare the Test opening bowling pair for England's winter campaign that begins this October in Bangladesh."

The ECB also announced that Jonny Bairstow was to be released from the ODI squad to play for Yorkshire in Sunday's Royal London semi-final against Surrey. David Willey, who has a hand injury, is not deemed to be fit enough to play.