Anderson to miss Bangladesh Tests

James Anderson has been withdrawn from England's Test squad to tour Bangladesh in order to rest a slight injury to his left knee. Anderson will, however, remain available for England's one-day series in Bangladesh, and both the Test and one-day series in Sri Lanka.

"James has an overuse injury in the tendon on the outer side of his left knee," said the ECB's chief medical officer, Dr Peter Gregory. "We feel it will be best alleviated by a combination of rest from competitive cricket and an intensive programme of strengthening exercises under the supervision of the Lancashire physio, Dave Roberts."

Anderson has been an integral part of England's Test and one-day teams since receiving a surprise call-up during the one-day VB Series in Australia last winter, but by the end of the summer he was clearly showing the effects of ten months of non-stop cricket. By missing the first leg of the winter, he will hopefully be refreshed for the more arduous challenges against Sri Lanka in November and West Indies next March.

Prior to flying out to Dhaka with England's one-day squad on October 28, Anderson will undergo a fitness programme designed to strengthen his left knee and will also spend time at the ECB National Academy in Loughborough, where he will work with the National Academy Bowling Coach, Troy Cooley.

"Losing James for the Bangladesh Tests is a blow," admitted David Graveney, England's chairman of selectors. "But he is a young bowler who has borne a heavy workload this summer. Having consulted the medical team we feel that this decision is in his best long-term interests."

The England selectors will announce a replacement for Anderson next week, ahead of the Test squad's departure for Bangladesh on October 7. Sussex's James Kirtley is the favourite to take his place.