Burly Yorkshire pacemen Tim Bresnan is an honest enough player, but I don't think he has that extra class to make the difference down under.
Bresnan took his time before making his mark on the international stage, only establishing himself as a County player with Yorkshire in 2005 before making his England debut in 2006.
But poor form, including some brutal treatment at the hands of Sri Lanka's batsmen, as well as a season-ending injury saw him swiftly dropped. A surprise recall for two tests against the West Indies in 2008 saw him grab his first three test wickets in the dying embers of that series.
Since then Bresnan has been in and out of the side, never really showing enough consistency to warrant a regular place but having enough determination and focus, with both bat and ball, to warrant a second glance by selectors.
Bresnan is one of a number of players not tainted by the harrowing 5-0 whitewash down under in 2006/07 which should be considered an advantage, but I would be surprised if he is included in the starting XI for the first test in Brisbane. Anyone looking to bet on the Ashes probably shouldn't back him to be England's top wicket taker.
He would provide adequate support and is handy batting at number seven, but I just can't see him producing an inspired spell that can decide such tight and competitive games as an Ashes battle. The Ashes betting indicates England are in for a very tough time, and playing Bresnan would be a gamble they can't afford.
For me he is a prime candidate for the one-day side. Capable of quick runs late on while adept at bowling at the start and end of the innings and it's the shorter form of the game which will offer him his best chance of action.
No comments:
Post a Comment