Sir Ian Botham has said that England's decision to rest several senior players for the one-day series against Australia could spur the team on to more success.

Alastair Cook, James Anderson and Ian Bell are among six players who have been rested following the 3-0 series victory over the Baggy Greens in the Ashes.

Botham has claimed that England are right to ring the changes.

"I think it's a great opportunity for a lot of players in these one-dayers and I agree with England resting some of their key players because they've had a lot of cricket," he told Sky Sports News.

"The other thing is that we don't want to fall into the same hole that Australia have put themselves in by having nine or so players going out of a team in a two-three year period.

"I think England are actually looking and thinking 'do our senior players need to play this format of the game - let's give these guys a chance.' Australia might have the edge in this series but England might just scrape it because they are at home. It will be much tighter than the Test series."

The first ODI at Headingley was abandoned due to heavy rain.