James Anderson given time off to get ready for India Tests

James Anderson, England’s all-time highest wicket-taker in Test cricket, has been permitted to take a month-and-a-half off the game in order to get into peak fitness for the Test series against India.

Anderson, 35, has a long-standing shoulder injury, and “will take a six-week period of rehabilitation”, said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement. That will keep him out of Lancashire’s County Championship matches against Worcestershire and Hampshire.

The Test series against India is some time away, with the first one of five scheduled to start at Edgbaston on 1 August.

“We have five Tests against India in a six-week period from August 1, which will be an intense and challenging period for all our bowlers, and therefore it’s vital that we ensure Jimmy goes into that series in the best possible condition,” said Trevor Bayliss, the England coach.

“Jimmy has to manage the issue with his right shoulder, and we’ve been advised that the best way for him to prepare for the India series is to take a six-week break from cricket now, initially to rest it and then to work slowly back to cricket.

“That six-week period covers Lancashire’s two Championship matches over the next three weeks. We will then monitor to see where Jimmy is at and ensuring he is ready for the India series.”

Anderson, only behind Kagiso Rabada in the MRF Tyres ICC Test Rankings for bowlers, has 540 wickets from 138 Tests, well in front of No.2 Stuart Broad, who has 417 wickets from 118 Tests. Against India, Anderson has 86 wickets from 22 Tests, with 60 of those wickets coming at home in 12 Tests over the years.