England player availability

England coach Peter Moores has announced the following England player availability for the remainder of the 2008 first-class season.

Those England players involved in both the Test and one-day international squads for the duration of the summer will be rested from the remaining 2008 first-class county fixtures.

Having played in only one npower Test match this summer Stephen Harmison will play the remainder of the season for Durham following the conclusion of the current NatWest Series.

Alastair Cook will play in Essex’s NatWest Pro40 match against Warwickshire on Sunday September 7 and a Twenty20 floodlit challenge match against Hampshire on Friday September 5.

Alastair Cook has been made available for Essex's NatWest Pro40 game next Sunday

Ryan Sidebottom will not be available to Nottinghamshire for the remainder of the season as he continues his rehabilitation from a groin injury.

The remaining players from the England Test and ODI squads will be available to their counties at the conclusion of the fifth and final NatWest Series ODI in Cardiff on Wednesday September 3.

England coach Peter Moores said: “It has been a gruelling summer schedule and it’s important for those players involved in both the Test and ODI squads to be rested ahead of what promises to be a hectic winter.

“With the postponement of the ICC Champions Trophy an invaluable break in the international schedule has emerged during September and it is important the players use that interval to refresh themselves mentally and physically ahead of a schedule that has little respite over the next 12 months.

“Those players involved in both England squads will be given a break from cricket but they will continue a comprehensive conditioning programme in preparation for the Stanford Super Series and the ensuing tour of India.

“Alastair Cook has not featured in the current NatWest Series and after working hard on his one-day game during recent weeks he is available for Essex’s NatWest Pro40 match this Sunday.”

England players unavailable for remainder of 2008 first-class season:
Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire)
James Anderson (Lancashire)
Ian Bell (Warwickshire)
Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire)
Paul Collingwood (Durham)
Alastair Cook (Essex) – except a NatWest Pro40 fixture (Sun Sept 7)
Andrew Flintoff (Lancashire)
Ryan Sidebottom (Nottinghamshire) – due to injury

England players available for remainder of 2008 first-class season:
Tim Ambrose (Warwickshire)
Ravi Bopara (Essex)
Stephen Harmison (Durham)
Samit Patel (Nottinghamshire)
Monty Panesar (Northamptonshire)
Matt Prior (Sussex)
Owais Shah (Middlesex)
Andrew Strauss (Middlesex)
Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire)
Luke Wright (Sussex)