Durham bowler Steve Harmison believes England should not have allowed captain Andrew Strauss to miss the tour of Bangladesh which starts later this month.
The national selectors have decided to rest Strauss, with Alastair Cook confirmed as the captain for the tour.
However, Harmison disagrees with the decision, even though England have a hectic few months ahead of them, culminating in next winter's tour of Australia.
"I think the captain should be there, but whatever Andrew Strauss does he's between a rock and a hard place," said the former England fast bowler.
"Personally, I'd have liked to have seen him go for the two Test matches, even if he got there the day before the match.
"When we get to Australia time this break will have done him the world of good, but Alastair Cook is captain and the ECB are looking at the future, which is the right move.
"He's the next in line. I think he'll be England captain for many years. He's got a good cricket brain and a level head and he's got a lot of respect in the dressing room.
"I'd have liked to see Straussy go for those two Test matches, but I know what it's like to be on the treadmill of international cricket and you do need a break."