World class batsman Joe Root has withdrawn from England's team for the Twenty20 tri-series against New Zealand and Australia.
Root intended to play a full part in all three formats this summer but, after captaining his side to a 4-0 Ashes defeat and playing a key part in the hat- trick of one-day wins over Australia, has accepted the England and Wales Cricket's Board offer of a rest.
Root insists he felt torn at making the decision despite having entered the looming Indian Premier League player auction.
"I hate missing games of cricket for England. It is something that doesn't really sit well with me," he said.
"You look at the amount of cricket we have got coming up and it was a long, hard decision that me and (head coach) Trevor Bayliss had to come to.
"I was very reluctant to miss this series but it's important that I am fresh and at my best for the whole summer."
Root does not deny there is a financial aspect to his IPL decision, with his status as a designated marquee player making a bumper payday almost certain.
"Of course there is a money side to it, there is no point lying about it," he said.
"That is obviously a benefit of playing in the IPL but it's not why I went into the auction. I really believe playing a block of Twenty20 cricket with that scrutiny, being under pressure for long periods of time against the world's players in that format would be a great opportunity to develop and learn my white-ball game."
Eoin Morgan captains the England one-day and T20 sides. They play Australia on February 7 and 10 before crossing the Tasman to face the Black Caps in Wellington on February 13 and Hamilton five days later.
The England squad for a subsequent five-match one-day international series against New Zealand is yet to be named.
- AAP