Anderson says in 'best interests' to 'take a break' before return Ashes

England pace spearhead James Anderson has said that it is in his best interests to take a break from international duty before the return Ashes series begins in Australia in November.

According to Sport24, Anderson was one of several key players from the England side that recently wrapped up a 3-0 Ashes series win on home soil to be left out of the squad for the forthcoming five-match one-day international series against Australia.

Although eager to lead England's attack whenever he can, Anderson is also thankful for a break after an exhausting Test series against Australia, saying that although it is frustrating for all cricketers to miss cricket in any format, this rest is however, is in their best interests so that they can get a good rest and prepare for a tough winter.

Anderson, who moved into second place behind Ian Botham in England's all-time list of leading Test wicket-takers during the Ashes series, has admitted that he has personally felt the emotional and physical draining factor of the iconic series, adding that it had gotten to a point where he just wanted to take a rest.

Given that his fellow seamer Tim Bresnan missed the fifth and final Test at The Oval with a back injury, Anderson believed that he understood exactly why he was being spared one-day duty against Australia, adding that the selectors cannot afford any more of their seamers getting hurt given the return Ashes series.

Stating that it is why he and Stuart Broad have been rested, Anderson also said that he believed that the selectors did right by resting Graeme Swann as he had bowled a lot of overs this summer and because of his injury problems.

England begin preparations for their latest encounter against Australia with a one-day international away to Ireland on Tuesday where they will be without regular captain Alastair Cook, fellow top-order batsman Ian Bell, seamers Anderson and Broad as well as first-choice spinner Swann, the report added.