England stars to sit it out

England pair Tim Bresnan and Graeme Swann will continue to rest elbow injuries ahead of the Test series against South Africa as several of their international colleagues return to county action this week.

Nottinghamshire spinner Swann was rested for the final two matches of the one-day international series against Australia, while Yorkshireman Bresnan also missed Tuesday's final match at Old Trafford.

The pair will also sit out their sides' respective LV= County Championship games against Middlesex and Hampshire starting on Wednesday, as will Bresnan's likely replacement.

Steven Finn has not been made available for Middlesex, while fellow pacemen James Anderson and Stuart Broad will not line up for their respective counties, Lancashire and Notts.

Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott will also rest up for the series opener against the Proteas, at the Oval from July 19, but Test captain Andrew Strauss will be given time at the crease for Middlesex.

His top-order colleagues Kevin Pietersen of Surrey, who has not featured against Australia after retiring from limited-overs internationals, and Trott's Warwickshire colleague Ian Bell have also been made available along with Sussex wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

Of England's limited-overs contingent, Jonny Bairstow, Samit Patel, Craig Kieswetter, James Tredwell and Chris Woakes are able to return immediately.

Eoin Morgan will sit out Middlesex's four-day game but is available against Leicestershire in the Clydesdale Bank 40 on July 15, the same date on which Ravi Bopara can return for Essex.

Chris Tremlett's return is subject to his recovery from a back injury and fellow Surrey paceman Jade Dernbach is sidelined by a side strain.