Anderson to miss first Test as Cook gets set to make history

England captain Alastair Cook revealed on the eve of the first Test against Bangladesh that pace spearhead James Anderson’s injury woes will continue into the India series next month.

Anderson had already been ruled out of the two Tests against the Tigers due to a recurrence of a right shoulder injury and his ongoing rehabilitation from the issue will preclude the 34-year-old from playing in next month’s opener against India in Rajkot.

The problem first flared up over the summer, when he sustained a stress fracture to the area, which controversially forced him to sit out the first Test against Pakistan, despite Anderson declaring himself fit.

While the seamer recovered sufficiently to play for the remainder of the series, he has not taken to the field since and Cook’s announcement means he will at least miss the first three of England’s seven Tests on the subcontinent this winter.

Cook said: “I don’t think he’ll be there for the start. He might be ready to do some training, but he won’t be ready for the first Test match.”

While Cook is hopeful his good friend will play some part in the remaining four Tests against India, his comments of Anderson’s struggles when he bowls is troubling.

Cook, who became a father for a second time over the weekend, cannot afford to dwell too much on the absentees as he prepares to become England’s most capped Test player at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong today.

The left-handed opener’s 134th Test appearance will move him clear of Alec Stewart, with whom he currently shares the record.

Cook said: “It’s going to be a very special day on a personal note.”