Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson set to be rested for limited-overs contests

 
Raring to go: Kevin Pietersen today
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Tom Collomosse19 August 2013

Kevin Pietersen and Jimmy Anderson are likely to be given a breather during England’s limited-overs matches to ensure they are fully refreshed for the return Ashes series later this year.

Pietersen has suffered knee and calf problems during the current contest and he needed a scan on the knee to determine whether he would be available for the Fifth Investec Test here, which starts on Wednesday.

Anderson, meanwhile, has struggled to find top form with the ball after his magnificent display in the opening match of the series at Trent Bridge put England 1-0 up in the series. The pace bowler is desperate to play at The Oval but the selectors will probably decide to take both him and Pietersen out of the firing line for at least some of the Twenty20 and one-day games that follow this series.

England lead the Ashes 3-0 after their win at Durham last week clinched the urn for the fourth time in the last five series. If they overcome Australia again this week, Alastair Cook’s men will become the first England side to win four Tests in a home Ashes series.

If this game goes the distance, it will end on Sunday, four days before the first Twenty20 international at Southampton. The second of two short-form games takes place at Durham on August 31, before the five-match 50-over campaign from September 6-16. There is also a one-day international against Ireland in Dublin on September 3.

Pietersen and Anderson remain key members of the Test side and England are already planning for the First Test in Australia, at Brisbane on November 21. For that reason, both men are expected to be permitted some rest during the next month.

Australia, meanwhile, will attempt to salvage something from a miserable Ashes series but there is discontent within their squad during the build-up to the match in Kennington. Mitchell Starc featured in only two of the first four Tests and has expressed his frustration at the lack of continuity shown by the selectors.

The bowler said: “It would be nice to get a few games back to back and get that rhythm. But to have a chance at that consistency, it’s a bit hard when you play one game and you’re dropped. I’m pretty happy with where my reverse swing bowling is.”

Pat Cummins, one of Australia’s most promising fast bowlers, is likely to miss the winter series against England after suffering a stress fracture in his back. The 20-year-old’s career has been hampered by physical problems, meaning he has played only one Test to date.

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