Allrounder Shane Watson will miss Australia’s third and fourth one-day internationals against England, with Daniel Christian to take his place in the squad.

Coach Darren Lehmann has opted to rest Watson for the matches in Sydney and Perth but will bring him back for the final ODI in Adelaide on Australia Day.

He had already been ruled out of Friday’s match in Brisbane.

“Given Shane’s workload in the past 12 months, we consider it would be beneficial for him to have a longer break and continue his training program at home in Sydney ahead of the final ODI and the tour of South Africa,” Lehmann said on Thursday.

Victorian allrounder Christian has been added to the squad following his “excellent form” for the Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League.

He will begin training with the team in Brisbane on Thursday morning, ahead of match two on Friday at the Gabba.

Christian has played 17 ODIs for Australia, most recently against Pakistan in 2012.