Tim Bresnan out for quarter of Championship schedule

A scan has revealed that Bresnan tore his left calf on the club’s pre-season tour of the United Arab Emirates.

The pace bowling all-rounder is set to miss the first four games of the County Championship programme – exactly one-quarter of the four-day campaign.

The 31-year-old was one of Yorkshire’s best and most consistent players last summer, scoring 849 Championship runs at 49.94 and taking 45 wickets at 30.88.

Yorkshire physiotherapist Kunwar Bansil said: “Unfortunately, Tim’s got a tear in his lower calf and will be out for around six weeks.

“It’s always a blow for a player, and it’s come at an unfortunate time.

“But it’s part and parcel of being an athlete, and hopefully we can get him right within the six weeks and he stays on the park for the rest of the season.

“It will be a slow process, but it’s a process that we’ve got to go through and make sure he comes back fully fit.”

There is better news on 18-year-old pace bowler Matthew Fisher, who is expected to be available for selection for the club’s opening County Championship match against Hampshire at Headingley on April 17.

Fisher is expected to come into contention for that game as he battles back from a hamstring strain, which Yorkshire say should have cleared up in around a fortnight.

Bresnan’s absence in the early stages of the campaign is offset by the likely availability of Yorkshire’s England players, including fellow pace bowlers Liam Plunkett and David Willey.

The club have a number of bowlers vying for a Championship berth, so there should be no shortage of options for the Hampshire match.

Bresnan’s expected recovery period means he will also miss the trips to Warwickshire and Notts, plus the home game with Surrey.