Cricket - International Cricket - Bet Now at Bet365
England captain Alastair Cook has confirmed that key bowler James Anderson will miss the first Test in India next month.
England's leading Test wicket-taker is already ruled out of the two-Test series in Bangladesh, which gets under way in Chittagong from Thursday, because of an ongoing shoulder injury.
And speaking ahead of the game, Cook, who will make his 134th appearance and surpass Alec Stewart as the country's most-capped Test player against the Tigers this week, revealed Anderson is also set to be ruled out for the first of five Tests in India from 9th January.
"I don't think he will be there for the start," Cook said at his pre-match press conference.
"He might come out to do some training but he will not be ready to play in the first Test.
"I don't know what's happening - they will be making some decisions over the next seven days or so. I spoke to him last night and he is training well and in good shape physically."
Meanwhile, Cook switched his focus to the opening Test against Bangladesh and warned his team-mates to be prepared for 'alien conditions'.
"You are testing yourself in conditions that are very alien to English players.
"I can't remember doing 10 weeks on the subcontinent.
"You don't often get the flurry of wickets you do in England or Australia, or the flurry or runs where you can change a session quickly.
"You can lose a lot of wickets quickly towards the end of the game, but the first three or four days of cricket is hard and normally quite even."
View all Cricket betting at Bet365
