England bowler Graeme Swann rested for remainder of one-day series against Australia

Graeme Swann used his full box of tricks against the Australians (AP)

Graeme Swann will miss England's final two matches in the NatWest Series against Australia to rest the sore elbow in his bowling arm.

Swann, one of three players also released for the final match of last month's 2-0 one-day international victory over West Indies, will be replaced by his fellow off-spinner James Tredwell in the squad at Chester-le-Street and Old Trafford.

England have also called up, as expected, seamer Chris Woakes - already in the squad for yesterday's washed-out match at his home ground Edgbaston while Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker attended the funeral of their former Surrey team-mate Tom Maynard.

Dernbach will be unavailable for the final two matches as well because of a side strain, and it was therefore an obvious course of action to retain Woakes as England seek to consolidate their 2-0 lead.

England were planning all along to rest Swann, a vital member of the Test team who will soon put their world number one status on the line in three matches against South Africa.

National selector Geoff Miller said: "We had earmarked the fourth and fifth matches in this series as an opportunity to rest Graeme, regardless of the result at Edgbaston, because we have to consider our preparations for the Investec Test series later this month.

"Graeme has some pain in his elbow at the moment and we feel that an extra week's rest will allow his elbow to settle.

"Chris Woakes replaces Jade Dernbach, who has been ruled out with a side strain."

All-rounder Samit Patel has been released to play for Nottinghamshire in tonight's Friends Life t20 fixture against Yorkshire - a match in which England's Jonny Bairstow will feature for the visitors.

Bairstow will also be available for Yorkshire's Roses match at Old Trafford tomorrow, and he and Patel will rejoin England in time for Saturday's fourth NatWest Series match at Emirates Durham ICG.

PA