The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Captain Cook’s men forced to face India without Anderson
England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed pace bowler James Anderson will miss the first Test against India next month as he struggles to overcome a shoulder injury. The tourists begin their winter red ball work today with the opening Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong, but record wicket-taker Anderson’s health remains a primary concern. He had already been ruled out of the two Tests against the Tigers but the 34-year-old will also miss the 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 Testmatch.” 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. The left-handed opener’s 134th Test appearance will move him clear of Alec Stewart, with who he shares the record. Cook said: “It’s going to be a very special day on a personal note.” The identity of his ninth opening partner after the retirement of Andrew Strauss four years ago has been a hot topic, but Cook refused to divulge whether it will be Haseeb Hameed or Ben Duckett. Cook did confirm it will be three seamers and as many spinners on what is likely to be a slow and low pitch, with allrounders Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali batting higher up the order to accommodate more bowlers.