Tim Bresnan ruled out of Test series

10/01/2012

England bowler Tim Bresnan has been ruled out of the three-match Test series between England and Pakistan in the UAE, starting on January 17th.

The Yorkshireman was expected to be fit after minor elbow surgery last month but has suffered fresh pain in the joint.

Fans enjoying hospitality packages at Lord's when England play their first Test of the summer against the West Indies will be hoping any injury problems Bresnan has are behind him by then, with England having won all eight Tests in which he has played.

Commenting on the all-rounder's plight, captain Andrew Strauss said: "We are all gutted for him, because it's come from left-field and surprised him and us to a certain extent."

Durham seamer Graham Onions has been called up to the squad to replace Bresnan, having not played a Test himself since a back injury ruled him out for most of 2010.

Onions has proved his worth as a tail-end batsman as well as a bowler, twice managing to block out the final over to save a Test during the 2009-10 series in South Africa, which helped England to draw the rubber 1-1.

By Keith Prowse