Stuart Broad has expressed his frustration at being rested for England's two-match Test series against Bangladesh.
Rather than taking part in the matches at Lord's and Old Trafford, Broad has been placed on a three-week "strengthening programme" aimed at ensuring he is in peak condition for the series against Pakistan later this summer, and for the Ashes next winter.
The young all-rounder understands the reasons for his omission but admits he will find it tough to watch his England team-mates tackle Bangladesh on Thursday.
"You want to play as much as you can for your country," Broad said. "It's what you're there to do, and I don't like missing cricket, but it's a decision taken by the hierarchy.
"They're looking at the final Test of the Ashes in January, and I appreciate that decision, but it's hard to take knowing I'm not going to be walking out at Lord's in the First Test.
"I appreciate they have my best interests at heart but I'm eager to get back playing as soon as I can."
Victorious World Twenty20 captain Paul Collingwood has also been sidelined to give him time to recover from a shoulder injury.
Andrew Strauss, back in charge of the Test team after missing the winter tour of Bangladesh and the World Twenty20, is delighted by England's progress in his absence.
He said: "What amazed me was the way they played. To continue playing such positive and aggressive cricket was a delight to watch and a really good template for how we should play in the future. There's a lot more belief about the guys."
However, he knows complacency could prove their worst enemy. The 33-year-old added: "I don't think there's too much backslapping going on within the group. The real challenges are still in front of us."
