ECB impose rest period on Bresnan

England have ordered Bresnan to rest until mid-May following a winter spent playing in the Ashes and the World Cup.

Bresnan will miss the first four Championship games – including the home and away fixtures against champions Nottinghamshire.

The 26-year-old will also sit out the first three CB40 games.

In a further blow, Yorkshire have confirmed key batsman Anthony McGrath is “highly unlikely” to be fit for the opening Championship match at Worcestershire on April 8 due to a nerve problem in his right leg, while England pace bowler Ajmal Shahzad (hamstring) is expected to miss at least the first two Championship games.

McGrath will today undergo an epidural (spinal) injection in an attempt to facilitate his recovery.

A scan has shown the nerve problem – which came to light during the club’s pre-season tour to Barbados – is emanating from the back area.

McGrath had only just recovered from a successful operation to repair a meniscus (cartilage) tear in his left leg.

Bresnan’s absence – announced yesterday by the England and Wales Cricket Board – will be keenly felt following a winter in which he came of age as an international cricketer.

The Pontefract-born pace man played an important part in England’s Ashes triumph, which he memorably sealed with the wicket of Ben Hilfenhaus in the fourth Test at Melbourne.

England have released Bresnan for just two Championship fixtures ahead of the Test series against Sri Lanka which starts in Cardiff on May 26. He will be available to play against Hampshire at Headingley Carnegie (May 11-14) and against Lancashire at Liverpool (May 18-21).

Yorkshire’s director of professional cricket Martyn Moxon last night adopted a philosophical approach to Bresnan’s unavailability.

“I can’t say I’m surprised,” he said. “I thought Bres would be unavailable for a month at least, given that he’s been away playing international cricket since October and has had a bit of a niggle in his knee as well.

“Obviously, in an ideal world, we’d like to have him available as soon as possible.

“At the same time, he’s had a long winter and if he’s not 100 per cent right physically and mentally, it’s not ideal for us anyway.

“To be honest, I’d rather have Bres back fully-fit and firing than have him come back earlier and half-cooked.”

Moxon is crossing his fingers Bresnan’s fellow England star Shahzad will be fit for the third Championship match of the summer against Nottinghamshire at Headingley (April 20-23).

“Ajmal has got a few niggles at the moment and won’t be fit to start the season,” he said.

“At the moment, we’re targeting the home game against Notts as the time when he might be available for selection, but it’s still early days.”

McGrath’s injury – in a top-order shorn of the redoubtable Jacques Rudolph – is particularly untimely. The 35-year-old rediscovered his old magic last year with 1,219 Championship runs at 43.53.

Yorkshire physiotherapist Scot McAllister said the club would be better able to judge McGrath’s return following the injection.

“We’ll review his condition next week and will have a better idea where he’s at then,” he said.

“It’s basically referred pain from the spinal region, but it’s hard to say exactly what’s caused it.

“Mags is having the injection to help ease the pain and reduce the inflammation.”

The only other Yorkshire player out of action at present is pace bowler Ben Sanderson, who recently had his appendix removed.

“Sando’s resting up and recovering at the moment,” added McAllister. “It could be another month for him realistically, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

Yorkshire were frustrated by the weather on the second and final day of their friendly against Leeds-Bradford University at Headingley.

After declaring on their overnight 336-8, Yorkshire reduced the students to 147-8 in the 54 overs possible.

Steve Patterson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-9 from six overs, Richard Pyrah took 3-36 from eight overs, and Ryan Sidebottom returned the parsimonious analysis of 8-5-3-1. Left-arm spinner David Wainwright claimed the other wicket to fall.

Naweed Ghany top-scored with 44 from 92 balls with six fours, David Clarke accruing 38 from 58 balls with eight fours.

Yorkshire plan to play a two-day inter-squad friendly at Headingley next Monday and Tuesday.

It will be their last outdoor practice before the Worcester match and round off what Moxon has hailed as a successful pre-season.

GAMES BRESNAN WILL MISS

Apr 8-11: Worcestershire (New Road) County Championship.

Apr 14-17: DURHAM (Headingley) County Championship.

Apr 20-23: NOTTS (Headingley) County Championship.

Apr 24: NETHERLANDS (Headingley) CB40.

May 2: DERBYSHIRE (Headingley) CB40.

May 4-7: Notts (Trent Bridge) County Championship.

May 8: Kent (Canterbury) CB40.