Confident Bresnan targets Test place
ENGLAND and Yorkshire seamer Tim Bresnan has set his sights on a place in the Test side following a clutch of impressive one-day performances in South Africa.
The 24-year-old has tightened his grip on a spot in the limited-overs set-up and helped England take a 2-1 series lead with some economical displays against a powerful Proteas batting line-up.
Bresnan admits he has grown significantly in stature and confidence since he first broke onto the international scene in 2006.
But he is desperate to prove he can make an impact in the longer form of the game and is determined to add to his meagre tally of two Test caps.
“I’m a little bit disappointed,” said Bresnan, who was left out of the squad for the forthcoming Test series. “I don’t label myself as just a one-day cricketer. I want to be in the Test team – it’s the height of cricket, as far up as you can go. But I’ve just got to work my way into that.”
Bresnan has come a long way since being part of an England side battered by Sri Lankan pair Sanath Jayasuriya and Upul Tharanga three years ago.
“I’ve changed a lot,” he added. “I’m more confident as a cricketer. Back then, I was like, ‘Should I be here? Do I deserve to be? Am I good enough?’ Now I think, ‘Yeah, damn right I am. I’ll show you what I’ve got and get you out – rather than just try to keep this on the island’.”
South Africa coach Mickey Arthur, meanwhile, made his side train in the rain on a beach obstacle course yesterday as he looks to salvage a draw from the one-day series in Friday’s final match at Kingsmead.
However, Arthur could rest top fast bowler Dale Steyn, who has had a hamstring injury, ahead of the Test series. He said: “For us the priority is the Tests and we’d never compromise Dale’s chances for that.”