Ashes 2013
Enter Tim Bresnan
November 28th 2013
The chances
of Tim Bresnan making what for many, would be a shock return to England colours
for the 2nd Test have just increased again. The aim of playing him
against Queensland 2nd XI was to assess his readiness for Tests. By
playing him in the England Performance Programme game he gets a four day match
against arguably stronger opposition – Queensland 2nds are roughly equivalent
to a 2nd Division English county – than he would get at Alice
Springs in the two day game. If he lasts three days without reaction, he should
last a five day Test (Australian fans might argue that there will not be many
games going into a fifth day in this series). In theory, as the EPP game will
end tomorrow, with the EPP side well-placed to win, Tim Bresnan could even take
part in the second day of the game in Alice Springs too if the Queensland match
finishes quickly and England are batting on the first day in Alice Springs.
Although the
EPP side bowled out Queensland 2nd XI cheaply and could have
enforced the follow-on, they chose to bat again, 220 ahead and stretched the
lead to 376 by the Close. Another overnight declaration should see Tim Bresnan
get another good workout, even if the batting is not especially challenging.
With 4-31, the best figures for the EPP side and a wicket third ball, he is
showing that he is getting match fit and is ready for bigger tests after
reportedly bowling at full pace in the nets.
However,
this is not exactly great opposition. Joe Burns carried his bat for 97 in a
total of 156 and only one other batsman passed 7. Interestingly, Tim Bresnan
was promoted to bat at 4 in the second innings and managed a 5-ball duck, which
will probably not dismay him too badly, while Sam Robson, batting at 7, added
35 not out to his 102 Retired Out in the first innings. However, the Queensland
2nds new ball and first change attack had exactly two First Class matches
between them so, Ryan Harris and Mitch Johnson they were not.
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