England seamer Tim Bresnan is hopeful he could be fit to play in the first Ashes Test against Australia next month in Brisbane, despite not being picked in the main squad.
Bresnan has not played since the series-clinching fourth Test win against Australia at Durham in August due to a stress fracture in his back.
The 28-year-old was subsequently left out of England’s 17-man Ashes touring squad, however, he will travel with the team as he continues to receive treatment.
So far, Bresnan’s rehabilitation has gone to plan and, while he thinks it will be “touch and go” as to whether he is fit for the opening Test at the Gabba from November 21, he is confident he will be right to play thereafter.
“It (his recovery) is going really well,” he was quoted as saying in the Bradford Telegraph and Argus.
“Fingers crossed, I’ve not felt it (the injury) since three days after I did it. It never even felt like a stress fracture, to be fair. But obviously the scans showed one up. I’ve just got to roll with it and do the rehab to the letter.
“We fly to Australia the 23rd (of October) and then we’ll build it up back to bowling from there.
“Hopefully if all goes well in the first couple of sessions, I’ll do a few roll throughs and see how it feels. Then I’ll progress it as you would going on any tour.
“Fingers crossed, depending on warm-up games and stuff like that, I’ll be available for selection from the outset, I think.
“What the medical staff are saying is it’s not to be rushed. We’re in a position where it’s going to be played by ear.
“As much as I understand, it’s touch and go for Brisbane. Thereafter, there’s definite possibilities.”
ChrisUK
Guest
I'm reminded of the story a journalist related about an un-named boxer he was talking to. He said to him that if only it hadn't been for the booze, the drugs and the women, he could have been a great. The boxer looked startled and told him he'd got it all wrong. The reason he was a boxer in the first place was the booze, the drugs and the women. Not a bad point.
ChrisUK
Guest
Yep, I'd say that's certainly true of Broad. Though he's got a lot better over the last few years where his bowling average has been running at around 26-27 in that period. He's still only 27 years old which is always surprising to note - he's been around a long time now.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
I think Flintoff was a great first change bowler and was seriously quick at times but never really looked like someone who could open the bowling at test level. I know he finds it amusing to continually recall stories about his drinking and lack of application but it's actually quite sad as you have to wonder 'what if' with him. Could have been an all time great rather than just remembered for '05. I do find the whole circus around him a bit boring nowadays, change the record mate, we all know you liked a drink.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Yeah I did here about that programme, I'll have to look it up cheers Just wondering whether Broad might start to fall into that category about the great spells? He can be ludicrously good at times such as in the 4th test at Durham and then goes quiet. His radar tends to stay more on track during the quiet periods however and always holds an end up.
ChrisUK
Guest
It was said of someone else, but I think it applies to him too - he was a bowler of great spells rather than a great bowler.
pope paul v11
Guest
Harmy was a better bowler than Flintoff
ChrisUK
Guest
His "homesickness" issues weren't regarded especially sympathetically were they? I guess since then with the problems Trescothick and Yardy had there's more awareness of it. If he was starting out now he'd probably have been helped a lot more. Not sure whether you caught it over there (unlikely) but there was a programme on about the stresses and strains of sport - it was called The Hidden Side of Sport and you can catch bits of it on Youtube. If you can find the full programme anywhere I'd strongly recommend it. Anyway, the sections Harmison contributed to were eye opening, talking about his depression. It puts a lot of those moments into perspective - not everyone can cope. Grrrrr.... I knew, in that very moment, we were going to get absolutely stuffed. I did see him absolutely destroy Pakistan at Old Trafford. They were quite plainly scared that day.
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
He was a bit of a strange one wasn't he. He always struck me as very measured but clearly had some fragile personality issues. That winter in the Carribbean and then the '05 Ashes Summer, he was superb. No less than the great Brian Lara admitted to just 'seeing him off' that winter tour he was bowling that well. I'm really not sure whether his close friendship with Flintoff was that great for his career either althogh I really don't know the ins and outs. Just strikes me that Flintoff was a superb player but maybe not the best for the dressing room. Just my own view mainly based on a lof of speculation. As an aside, a great Harmison story. Queuing up outside the Gabba for the first day of the '06 Test, we arrived in plenty of time but they were processing people horrendously slowly. With about ten mins to go we realised there was a chance we might miss the first ball of the series. I turned round to two of my mates and said 'Don't worry boys, it'll probably be a Harmison wide anyhow' and we all know what happened next. Sadly we'd got to our seats in time.................
ChrisUK
Guest
In other news, Steve Harmison has retired from cricket. I loved a comment in the Guardian "Nearly a great bowler - always a great man". Not a bad cricketing epitaph.
ChrisUK
Guest
Dunno - the back might feel better, but ohhhh the head! I wouldn't be optimistic about him. It's always a couple of tests later than their hope, so I'd think he might be around by Perth. Same as How if Pattinson is hoping for the third Test, he might be around for the fifth.
MervUK
Guest
Damn right Steven...aye up
Steven McBain
Roar Guru
Sounds highly unlikely given the initial diagnosis but would be a big boost for England if he was fit, he always contributes. Could be typical Yorkshire bullishness, 'Broken back? No bother, 6 pints of Tetley will sort that out......'