Test openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook will not be available to feature for their counties on Twenty20 finals day.

The centrally-contracted England pair have been asked to rest ahead of next week's third npower Test against South Africa at Edgbaston.

Strauss' Middlesex and Cook's Essex are vying to qualify for the final at the Rose Bowl this Saturday, with the successful semi-finalists guaranteed a place in the money-spinning Champions League this autumn.

However, England's management have vetoed their participation following back-to-back Tests against the South Africans.

"It was deemed after two tough Test matches that those players who played in both Tests will not be available," confirmed an England spokesman.

England's top two domestic Twenty20 teams will face off against opposition from Australia, India and South Africa in the inaugural multi-nation tournament this October with the winners claiming the £2.5million jackpot.