England opt to give Anderson some rest before World Cup

Anderson will return to Australia on January 22 ahead of the fourth ODI in Adelaide.

Pace bowler James Anderson will be rested for England's Twenty20 series against Australia and the first three one-day internationals of the seven-match series, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday.

Anderson, the leading wicket-taker in the five-test Ashes series, would head home on Saturday and return to Australia on January 22 ahead of the fourth ODI in Adelaide four days later, the ECB said on their website.

Steve Finn will remain with the squad in Anderson's absence before joining the England Lions tour of the West Indies.

"James Anderson will be returning to the (United Kingdom) for a complete break from cricket for 10 days," England coach Andy Flower said.

"He has had a heavy workload so far this winter, playing in all five Tests, and we feel that he will benefit from a short rest period to ensure that he is fresh for the second half of the Australia ODI series and the World Cup which follows shortly after."

Anderson has been the only England fast bowler to play all the Ashes Tests, despite flying home to be present for the birth of his child between the second and third Tests.

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