England rest Anderson for final test against West Indies

LONDON (Reuters) - England will rest fast bowler James Anderson for the third and final test against West Indies starting at Edgbaston on Thursday.

Anderson, who received treatment to a thigh niggle during the second test at Trent Bridge, where England clinched the series and he took six wickets, was the only omission when selectors named a 12-man squad on Sunday.

"It has been decided missing the final clash will give the 29-year-old an opportunity to overcome several minor injuries," the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement.

England, the world's top-ranked test team, have an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-test series after winning the second test by nine wickets.

England have a busy schedule ahead, including one-dayers against West Indies and Australia and tests against South Africa to come and selector Geoff Miller said managing Anderson's workload was in the best interests of team and player.

Anderson, England's cricketer of the year for 2011-12, had earlier told the Mail on Sunday newspaper that he wanted to play regardless.

"It would be extremely disappointing for me to miss out," he said. "It would be different if I felt fatigued or was struggling with an injury.

"But I believe I am fit to play, and while I am fit to play I want to play in every England game I can."

Squad: Andrew Strauss (captain), Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Alastair Cook, Steve Finn, Graham Onions, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott.

(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by John O'Brien)