James Anderson to miss first Test in India

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.

He added: “I think so. You should probably speak to the medical team and Jimmy on that.

“He hasn’t yet bowled since, and that has been the problem in the past. However physically well he’s been in the rest of his body, it’s when he starts bowling.

“He’s making some really good strides and we’ll know more later on.”