England to find out James Anderson availability for India tour

Recovery: James Anderson is keen to join up with the squad
AFP/Getty Images
Chris Stocks31 October 2016

England coach Trevor Bayliss has confirmed a decision will be made by the end of the week on Jimmy Anderson’s availability for the tour of India.

Bayliss, speaking in the aftermath of his side’s humiliating defeat inside three days by Bangladesh in the Second Test at Dhaka, would love to have England’s record wicket-taker back for at least part of the five-match series against the world’s No1 team.

Anderson is continuing his rehabilitation from a shoulder injury that has kept him out of cricket since the final Test against Pakistan at the Kia Oval in August.

The 34-year-old was back bowling for the first time in three months in the nets at Loughborough last week and is keen to join up with his team-mates in India this weekend ahead of the First Test at Rajkot on November 9.

England have officially ruled Anderson out of the first two Tests, however Bayliss could not guarantee he would definitely return for the India series.

He said: “The latest I’ve heard is he’s spending this week at Loughborough getting a number of overs under his belt and the medical people will let us know how he’s gone at the end of this week and then we’ll make a decision if, and when, he might be able to join us in India.”

Despite England’s chastening 108-run defeat in Dhaka yesterday, they have not changed their plans ahead of the India series.

While some may argue extra net sessions would be beneficial, Bayliss has defended the decision to give his players time off and have just three days of practice before the India series, which will complete a gruelling schedule of seven Tests in nine weeks.

England arrive in Mumbai on Wednesday and will not practice until Saturday, before travelling to Rajkot the following day and having two more days in the nets before the first Test.

“The boys have been training very hard since we’ve been here, it’s been a fairly hectic two or three weeks, so I think part of it will be mental and physical rest so that we’re fresh going into those matches,” said Bayliss.

“It’s not all about practice, practice, practice, even though that’s what people might think we need to do.”

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