ContinueEngland coach Andy Flower has defended his decision to allow James Anderson to miss the final Test against the West Indies with a business schedule of cricket this summer.
The fast bowler has been handed the opportunity to rest after England had already secured a series victory over the West Indies that means they remain the number one Test side in the world.
"The schedule is incredibly heavy, so it is not only going to be Anderson, [Stuart] Broad and [Tim] Bresnan who are used," Flower revealed to the BBC. "It would be crazy and naive to think so."
"The days of us playing our players until they either wear down significantly or snap physically or mentally are over. We think it our responsibility to manage things better than that. Our duty is to make decisions in their interests and the interests of the team."
England are certainly not short of options in the pace department with Graham Onions and Steve Finn both pushing for a place in the England team.
There is also a business summer ahead as England play three one-dat internationals and a Twenty20 against West Indies, before five ODI's against Australia and then three Tests and five ODI's against South Africa.
Flower also felt as though handing Anderson the chance to recover means that it will help prolong his career and avoid picking up niggling injuries.
"When I was thinking of a few comparisons to make I thought of 'would you enter your prize horse in every race through the year?'," added Flower.
"You wouldn't - you would target the races you want to win. We've won this race already. These types of decisions are made for the good of the team, but also they will extend the careers of bowlers like Anderson."
