The Hundred: Jonny Bairstow retires from competition to rest ahead of England Test series

Venue: Ageas Bowl, So Uthampton Date: 3 August Time: 7.00pm BST coverage: Watch live on BBC Two from 7.00pm or Red Button and iPlayer from 6.30pm. Live BBC Radio 5 Live commentary on BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary and in-play clips.

Bairstow, 32, was due to play for Welsh Fire, who will play in the competition opener on Wednesday.

But he said, "I've had a hectic few months with the calendar as it is and I really need to take a break before the test series in South Africa."

The series of England's three Tests against the Proteas begins on August 17.

Bairstow has played all four Tests of England this summer and has found stunning form, reaching four centuries in its last five innings.

He missed three subsequent Twenty20s against India but played nine white-ball games for England since July 12.

Welsh Fire said they "understand Jonny's decision and wish him all the best".

England test captain Ben Stokes had already stepped down from The Hundred to manage his own workload.

Other English Test players signed to Hundred teams, such as Trent Rockets hitter Joe Root and Fire's Ollie Pope will be available before joining test team but will each manage their schedule on a case-by-case basis.

Fire play Southern Brave at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday in the opener of the men's competition, live on BBC Two at 7pm BST.