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Anderson out for six weeks to address shoulder trouble

by Rob Johnston • Last updated on

Anderson will be out for the next six weeks as he undergoes rehabilitation on his troublesome shoulder ahead of the five Tests against India. © Getty

England fast bowler James Anderson will miss the next six weeks of the season as he undergoes a programme of rehabilitation on his troublesome right shoulder ahead of the five-Test series against India.

Anderson has had a longstanding injury to his shoulder which he manages through physio and prehab work. During the winter's Ashes series, he said the injury was a constant battle and sometimes caused him pain when he put on a t-shirt or brushed his teeth. Despite that, he got through a huge workload in Australia of 223.3 overs, the most of any fast bowler on either team.

Anderson missed Tests against Pakistan, Bangladesh and India in 2016 with a stress fracture of the right shoulder and given his importance to England's attack, the management are taking no risks ahead of a huge series against India. In 2014, Anderson had the wood over Virat Kohli and England will hope he does the same this time round as well.

The 35-year-old will miss Lancashire's next two County Championship matches against Worcestershire at Blackfinch New Road (June 20) and the match against Hampshire on June 25. The T20 Blast then kicks off which means Anderson's only chance of getting in some red-ball practice before the India series will be during the Roses match against Yorkshire at Old Trafford which begins on July 22.

A decision on Anderson's participation in that match has not yet been taken. "We have five Tests against India in a six-week period from August 1, which will be an intense and challenging period for all our bowlers, and therefore it's vital that we ensure Jimmy goes into that series in the best possible condition," said Trevor Bayliss, England's head coach.

"Jimmy has to manage the issue with his right shoulder, and we've been advised that the best way for him to prepare for the India series is to take a six-week break from cricket now, initially to rest it and then to work slowly back to cricket. That six-week period covers Lancashire's two Championship matches over the next three weeks. We will then monitor to see where Jimmy is at and ensuring he is ready for the India series."

© Cricbuzz

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