LONDON: England bowlers James Anderson and Mark Wood have been ruled out of next month’s tour of Bangladesh due to injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed on Thursday.
The 34-year-old Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, has not played since the fourth Test loss to Pakistan in August because of a shoulder injury.
Durham seamer Wood, 26, has been having treatment for an ankle injury.
England play three one-day internationals and two Tests on the tour, for which they leave on Thursday.
Nottinghamshire’s Jake Ball, named in the ODI squad for Bangladesh but not the Test party, may get the nod to stay on for the second half of the tour.
Middlesex’s Steven Finn has been added to the ODI squad and selectors will consider a further replacement for the Test squad at a later date.
The first Test begins in Chittagong on October 20, with England having two two-day warm-up games ahead of the match.
The opening Test of the India tour is due to begin in Rajkot on November 9.--AFP