James Anderson is to have a six-week break from all cricket in a bid to ensure England's all-time leading Test wicket-taker is fully fit for an upcoming series with India, it was announced Sunday. The 35-year-old Lancashire swing bowler will use his time away from the game for what the England and Wales Cricket Board said was "rehabilitation" on a longstanding right-shoulder injury. Anderson, who has taken 540 wickets in 138 Tests, will now miss Lancashire's next two County Championship matches against Worcestershire and Hampshire later this month.

The five home Tests against India are crammed into a six-week period from August 1 and England coach Trevor Bayliss said it was "vital" that Anderson, who no longer plays international white-ball cricket, was as fit as possible. "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 Bayliss in an ECB statement issued Sunday.