England pair rested for finals day

Alastair Cook has been told to rest rather than play on Twenty20 finals day

Test openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook will not be available for their counties on Twenty20 finals day.

The centrally-contracted England pair have been asked to rest ahead of next week’s third npower Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Strauss’ Middlesex and Cook’s Essex are vying to qualify for the final at the Rose Bowl this Saturday, with the successful semi-finalists guaranteed a place in the money-spinning Champions League this autumn.

However, England’s management have decided to rest the pair following back-to-back Tests against the South Africans.

“It was deemed after two tough Test matches that those players who played in both Tests will not be available,” confirmed an England spokesman.

Durham all-rounder Paul Cololingwood will be available after missing out on selection for the second Test.