England Rest Anderson For The Third Test Against West Indies

With the series against West Indies already in the bag, England have decided to give their premier fast bowler, James Anderson, rest for the third Test match, which starts at Edgbaston from Thursday. England otherwise named an unchanged 12 member squad, which includes Anderson’s bowling partner, Stuart Broad.

England have a long summer ahead which includes one-day series against West Indies and Australia at home followed by a Test series against South Africa, which could decide the number one ranking in Tests. England will need their top bowler in full fitness for these upcoming series.

Geoff Miller, the national selector, said: "James Anderson will miss this Test as we look to manage his workload ahead of a busy period of cricket this summer and beyond, a decision which is in the best interests of the team and James himself."

With Steven Finn and Graham Onions fir and available for selection, closer to the start of the third test, England may chose to rest Broad too as he and Anderson have already bowled more than 100 overs each in the first 2 matches of the series.

In his column for Mail on Sunday Anderson wrote "It would be different if I felt fatigued or was struggling with an injury, but I believe I am fit to play - and while I am fit to play I want to play in every England game I can. Resting players is going to happen more and more often as the schedule gets busier and the ECB has been excellent at monitoring players to keep them fit and ready."

England squad: Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Jonny Bairstow, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Steven Finn, Graham Onions