England ready to rest strike bowlers

England are considering ignoring the old adage of 'never change a winning side' in a bid to ensure their leading bowlers remain fit for a packed programme of international cricket.

The hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in their three-match Test series against the West Indies courtesy of a crushing nine-wicket win, achieved with more than a day to spare, at Trent Bridge here on Monday.

There is just over a week until the third Test gets underway at Edgbaston on June 7 and normally England would be reluctant to make changes on grounds of squad rotation at such an early stage of their home international season.

England's usual policy when resting players has been to give them time off in one-day series rather than Tests.

But they could change tack with a crowded fixture schedule on the horizon.

Once this Test campaign is over, there is a one-day series against the West Indies before Australia visit for a purely limited overs campaign ahead of a full tour, featuring Tests and one-dayers, by South Africa.

AFP