Bresnan eager to regain Test place but acknowledges ‘fantastic’ Broad’s claims

Broad is favourite to get another chance despite a below-par showing against Sri Lanka and Yorkshire’s Bresnan was yesterday supportive of his Nottinghamshire rival.

“He has bowled well. He’s bowled good spells and possibly not had the luck,” said Bresnan.

“You do need a lot of luck as a seam bowler sometimes and Stuart is a fantastic bowler, a fantastic cricketer.

“His record shows that and he deserves to be there.”

Bresnan thinks the fierce competition for seam-bowling places augurs well for the series against India.

The Yorkshireman, who missed the Test series win over Sri Lanka earlier this summer because of a calf injury, returned in the one-day internationals that followed.

Broad, England’s T20 captain, has struggled recently and was dropped for the final ODI against Sri Lanka, which England won to take the series 3-2.

“It’s a great position for English cricket to be in, having two guys who can do the job,” said Bresnan. “Not just two, but a very strong crop of seamers where, if there are injuries, people can come in and do the job.”

He added: “I just need that one chance to show everyone what I’ve got again, get back in that side and, hopefully, cement down a place.”

England spinner Graeme Swann is looking forward to the main event of the summer, declaring “the phoney war is over” after a low-key start to the domestic season.

The Test series against Sri Lanka was undermined by frequent rain delays and disappointing ticket sales, with England securing a 1-0 victory courtesy of one inspired session in Cardiff.

The series against India takes things up a notch, with the world No 1 status up for grabs – England must win by two Tests to take the mantle – as well as the landmark 2,000th Test to celebrate.

Swann believes the contest is second only to the Ashes for England and is looking forward to testing himself in another high-profile battle. “The second half of the English summer always feels like the cricket season has really arrived now,” said Swann.

“The phoney war is over, so to speak, and it’s down to real business. It’s not to disrespect Sri Lanka by saying that but this is the major draw of the summer.

“The Australia series should be viewed as a separate entity and there is nothing for an Englishman or an Australian to rival the sheer size of that series.

“But this is as close as you’re going to get at the moment. India are the number one team in the world and they’ve got there through merit.

“Whether it will be tougher than Australia is hard to say; going to Australia and winning 3-1 there was probably the toughest series I’ve played in.”

Dravid’s return provokes fond Lord’s memories: Page 22.