Strauss has played one Championship match for Middlesex this season

England captain Andrew Strauss will miss Middlesex's Twenty20 Cup campaign in order to prepare for the Ashes.

However, the 32-year-old will be available for the County Championship game with Essex beginning on 6 June.

"Andrew Strauss will not take part in the Twenty20 Cup in order to focus on the longer form of the game," said England team director Andy Flower.

Strauss has not been included in the England squad for the World Twenty20, with Paul Collingwood leading the side.

Of those players who took part in the NatWest Series victory over West Indies only James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Matt Prior have been withheld from participating in Twenty20 Cup games taking place on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

All players included in the squad for the World Twenty20 will then travel to Nottingham on Saturday.

"James Anderson and Stuart Broad will be rested from this week's Twenty20 Cup fixtures due to their recent heavy workloads during the npower Test series and the NatWest Series against the West Indies," said Flower.

"We believe they will benefit from a brief rest ahead of the ICC World Twenty20."

Prior, who is not part of England's World Twenty20 squad, is rested to allow an injury on his right ring finger to heal properly.

But the wicketkeeper will be available for Sussex's County Championship match against Yorkshire starting Saturday 6 June.

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