Anderson told to have six-week layoff
James Anderson risks going into the India Test series short of bowling after being told to rest his chronic shoulder injury for the next six weeks.
Anderson will not play again until Lancashire’s championship match against Yorkshire at the end of July, a week before the series against India begins on August 1 at Edgbaston.
The England medical team have advised Anderson, who will be 36 when the India series starts, to undergo a period of strength and rehabilitation work as they continue to manage his creaking right shoulder.
Anderson will miss two championship matches for Lancashire and will spend the next six weeks instead combining gym work with working for Test Match Special as a summariser during England’s oneday series against Australia.
“It is more rehab than time off. The medical team and management are just managing my shoulder through what will be a busy period against India,” said Anderson.
“My shoulder has been an issue ongoing for the last couple of years and it is just managing it and looking after it the best way I can. I just need to get in the gym and get it strong. The India schedule is ridiculous with five Tests in six weeks and that will put a lot of stress on it.”
Anderson is confident he can play five Tests in six weeks, but England will have to accept that in the future he may have to be rotated out to prolong his career. He aims to continue until the end of the Ashes series next summer.
“It is wear and tear. Rehab improves it and makes it feel better and it is just about managing it through certain periods,” he added.