Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan fighting to be fit for the Proteas - Cricket News Update
English bowlers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757, starting next week.
Swann has a long-standing elbow problem in his bowling arm, since 2005, and already underwent a surgery in 2009, while Bresnan, who suffered a similar injury after the Indian tour last July, also had a surgical treatment earlier this year which forced him
out of the Test series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755.
The http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Nottinghamshire-c826 spinner who has become a mainstay of English bowling lineup in all formats of the game since 2009, has so far taken 188 Test wickets and is only five wickets short of equaling Jim Laker’s English record of most Test wickets by an off-spinner.
Swann made his international debut in 2000 but was discarded by coach http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Duncan-Andrew-Gwynne-Fletcher-c54742 and had to wait for another eight years to make his Test debut, but since 2009 he hasn’t missed a Test, playing 42 matches in a row.
27-year-old Bresnan, who never suffered a defeat in his 14-Test career, has taken 55 wickets for his national side while also scoring 362 runs at an impressive average of 40.22. Both English bowlers were given rest during the NatWest ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746.
Last month, in a similar move the English team management rested their four main bowlers ahead of the final ODI at Leeds against the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/West-Indies-c760 as part of their rotational policy to avoid injuries to their bowlers due to a heavy workload.
"They have had ongoing elbow problems, with the combination of rest and the injection, Swann should be fit for the Test," said Flower.
"Our medical staff believe [Swann and Bresnan] will be fit and available for selection for the first Test but it's a strenuous exercise, being a bowler playing international cricket. They play all three forms of the game. That's why Swann missed a big part
of the one-day series and why we rested Bresnan on occasion," the team director further added.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 is anxious to field an injury-free squad during the critical Test series which can see them lose their throne, if beaten by the second-placed Proteas during the 3-match Test series starting at The Oval from July 19.
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