Tykes’ Bresnan joins up with the Scorchers
ALL-ROUNDER Tim Bresnan has joined the Perth Scorchers as a replacement international player for Yorkshire team-mate David Willey.
Bresnan will be available to play in the match against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on Wednesday, January 11, with Willey unavailable for the Scorchers’ final three regular season games along with any potential finals due to England duty.
Willey was last month called into England’s squad for the ODI and T20 International series in India in mid-tolate January.
Right-arm fast medium bowler Bresnan, 31, has represented England across all three formats, with 23 Tests, 85 ODIs and 34 T20 Internationals.
Bresnan was the third leading wicket-taker in this year’s NatWest T20 Blast with 21 dismissals and has previous KFC Big Bash League experience, playing for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League.
Pontefract-born Bresnan said he jumped at the chance to join the two-time BBL champions.
“It was an easy decision really,” he said. “The past history of Big Bash they’ve always done well, so it’s a logical choice.
“When they said they wanted a replacement for Dave Willey I jumped at the chance.
“I’m looking forward to getting out there and playing some Big Bash cricket again. I really enjoyed it last time when I played with Hobart.”
Scorchers coach Justin Langer said: “Tim is another very experienced player who’s done very well in Twenty20 cricket in England.
“His international experience and first class experience is a great asset for us.
“Like with the rest of our squad, he’s a very good person who’ll fit in very well for our team ethos.” ■■South Africa were in complete control on day two of the second Test against Sri Lanka in Cape Town.
The Proteas completed their first innings on 392 and then ripped the tourists to shreds ousting them for just 110 – Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada caused the trouble picking up figures of 4-27 and 4-37, respectively. ■■An unbeaten half-century from Kane Williamson helped propel New Zealand to a commanding six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in the opening International T20 at Napier.
The tourists had already suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the recent one-day series and that woeful run continued as they were restricted to 141-8. ■■David Warner became the first batsman to score a century in the opening session of a Test match in Australia hitting 113 as the hosts dominated Pakistan in Sydney.
The dynamic left-hander reached his 18th Test ton off just 78 balls in the final over before lunch to help set his side up for an impressive first-day total of 365-3, with opening partner Matt Renshaw posting 167 not out.