England paceman James Anderson has been ruled out of the rest of the third Ashes Test against Australia at Edgbaston and next week’s fourth Test at Trent Bridge, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Friday.

Anderson, England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker, left the field three balls into his ninth over in Australia’s second innings at Edgbaston on Thursday – his 33rd birthday.

An ECB statement confirmed he had suffered a side strain.

“England bowler James Anderson has been ruled out of the remainder of the current Investec Ashes Test with a side strain,” the statement said.

“Anderson will be unavailable for the fourth Test beginning on Thursday 6 August at Trent Bridge and his availability for the final Test in the series (at The Oval on August 20) will be determined in due course.”