CRICKET : Tim Bresnan cuts an increasingly confident figure in England’s one-day international team – but he hopes to prove plenty more about his ability to himself and others.
Tim Bresnan cuts an increasingly confident figure in England’s one-day international team – but he hopes to prove plenty more about his ability to himself and others.
Batting at number eight in a deep line-up and bowling seam at either first change, or with the new ball if required, the Yorkshireman is filling an Andrew Flintoff brief on the England sheet. Flintoff’s is a name Bresnan wisely declines to repeat when questioned on similarities or expectations of filling the injured Lancastrian’s boots.
But playing the Flintoff role on a permanent basis is a topic he has had to discuss, and he said: “I’d like a crack at it. I’m looking forward to getting that chance – and when I do I hope I don’t let myself down, and I show what I can do.”
But Bresnan will not be making the schoolboy mistake of putting unnecessary pressure on himself.
“I’m happy where I am at the moment – bowling like I am and batting at eight,” said the 24-year-old.
“If they want to shove me higher up in the order, I wouldn’t disagree with that.
“I’d love to get a few more overs with the bat in my hand.”
Bresnan is grateful for the assistance available to him and others from several quarters in and around the England squad – and names his pace partner James Anderson, bowling coach Ottis Gibson and head coach Andy Flower as especially valuable advisers.
“Jimmy’s good – obviously the senior bowler and very experienced,” he confirmed.
“The communication between all us bowlers is very, very good. ‘It’s swinging; it’s not swinging. He’s hanging back; he’s coming at you’. Little things like that can give you something extra.”
