Strauss withdrawn from Championship action

Andrew Strauss will not return to action for Middlesex this week after he and the ECB decided on further rest following the series against South Africa.

When the ECB announced player availability last week Strauss was set to play the Championship match against Worcestershire at New Road, which starts on Tuesday, following a short family holiday after the end of the Test summer. Middlesex have their final first-class match against Lancashire, at Lord's, next week.

Strauss had a poor series with the bat, scoring just 107 runs six innings, and also had to contend with the situation surrounding Kevin Pietersen and his omission from the final Test at Lord's.

Strauss and Pietersen, who will be in action for Surrey against Somerset this week, are due to meet shortly in the first stages of talks to try and resolve the situation which has led to major doubts as to whether Pietersen will be able to continue his international career.

Following the 2-0 loss against South Africa, which led to England losing the No. 1 Test ranking, Strauss said he wanted time to think over the future and talk with Andy Flower, the team director, but remained confident he would continue to lead the team.