There’s something about nuggety Yorkshiremen that the English cricket watching public can’t resist. With the possible exception of Richard Blakey (no, we don’t remember him either) they’re often gritty performers, who play with spirit, a sense of humour, and a bit of fire in the belly.
They’re often a little bit porky too – just like Darren Gough. They also give Geoff Boycott something to get excited about in the commentary box: ‘in cums Gough from tut Kirkstall Lane End; great physique for bowling Goughie, big firm backside’.
Tim Bresnan has an arse the width of The Pennines too – and like Gough he’s definitely got cult hero potential. At first glance, Bresnan is a thoroughly unspectacular cricketer. Before the Ashes, I don’t think many people outside the flat cap wearing whippet owning community rated him very highly. It’s a different story now.
The great thing about Bresnan – apart from the extra yard of pace he seems to have found in the last couple of years – is that he won’t let you down. He handles pressure pretty well, he never gives less than one hundred percent, and he’s consistent enough to carry out orders; which in England’s team means bowling an off-stump line and building up pressure. Can the same be said of Stuart Broad?
Although Broad and Bresnan are competing for the third seamer / number eight spot in the test team, it’s hard to find more contrasting cricketers. Bresnan comes across as working class and plays with a smile. Broad seems quintessentially southern and, dare I say it, somewhat surly. Broad also bats with panache (like an aristocrat) whilst Bressie is less stylish, but less likely to throw his wicket away with a Gower-esque waft outside the off stump.
There’s no doubt that Broad is a fine cricketer, but I bet the majority of England fans would prefer Bresnan to get the nod in the first test against India. People are tiring of Broad’s antics – his refusal to look at the umpire when he appeals is particularly tiresome – whereas Bresnan seems to be a likeable down to earth cricketer that fans can relate to.
Every England team should have an amiable northerner to counter-act the public school brigade. For years it was Paul Collingwood. Can Bresnan fill the void? We think he can. In the immortal words of MC Hammer (and Geoff Boycott) ‘I like big butts and I cannot lie’.
James Morgan
At this time, I think you analysis is right that Bresnan is the man in form and should come into the test side for Broad (who to be fair has gone back to his county and taken five-for). That said, I am not entirely sure whether the article demonstrates a national political incorrectness or your own public school roots (but forgetting the psychoanalytical disassemble of your proses, a rather funny contrast)
Anyway with Colly gone some Northern grit is welcome in the side (sorry Jimmy but your more Southern than some of the Southerners)
Ha ha. Yes, despite his new found love of sledging, Jimmy still looks more like a member of a boy band than a fearsome fast bowler! You’d never see Tim Bresnan up on stage miming the words to ‘Flying without wings’.
I’ve long been a fan of Bresnan. I think his bowling is dependable and much quicker than it looks and his batting brings very useful lower order runs. He might not be a poster boy but he will take two or three wickets every game and he looks like he really enjoys what he is doing.
I much prefer someone who does what the team needs and leaves everything on the field to the big time charlies that dine out on the handful of decent games they have played amongst the dross that makes up the rest of their careers. Yes I mean you Stuart!
“I much prefer someone who does what the team needs and leaves everything on the field to the big time charlies that dine out on the handful of decent games they have played amongst the dross that makes up the rest of their careers. Yes I mean you Stuart!”
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