Veteran paceman Angus Fraser was also left out as England's selectors picked a 16-man squad for the triangular One-day series to be played in Australia in January and February.

``Athers has played a lot of cricket already and we thought it best if he doesn't undertake this part of the tour. ``It has nothing to do with his back, because as far as i know that's in shape, although we have to realise the history of it.''

Atherton and Fraser will leave Australia after the fifth and final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney from January 2-6, along with Matthew Fleming, Peter Martin, Warren Hegg, Ian Austin and Dougie Brown.

They will be replaced by Adam Hollioake, Mark Ealham, Neil Fairbrother, Nick Knight, Mark Alleyne, Ashley Giles and Vince Wells, who will arrive in Australia on December 26, the first day of the fourthAshes Test in Melbourne.