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Kent lost six final-session wickets as they collapsed spectacularly on the first evening of their Division Two match against Gloucestershire

Press Association18-May-2014
ScorecardJames Fuller led Gloucestershire’s surge late in the day•Getty ImagesKent lost six final-session wickets as they collapsed spectacularly on the first evening of their Division Two match against Gloucestershire. Having dismissed their hosts for 252, Kent failed woefully with the bat to slump to 33 for 6 at the close, still 219 runs behind.Not a single visiting batsman managed double figures, with the top four combined making just one. At one point Kent were 2 for 4. Will Gidman took 2 for 1 and James Fuller 3 for 23 as the Gloucestershire bowlers cashed in.Earlier Gareth Roderick had top-scored with 59 for the hosts, a score Kent’s batsmen could only dream of.Rob Key was the first man to go with the third ball of the innings, caught behind by Roderick off Fuller for a duck. Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sam Northeast and Brendan Nash followed in successive overs as a bad start became a horrendous one.Ben Harmison and Darren Stevens soon followed for 8 apiece, leaving Sam Billings was unbeaten with Adam Riley at the close.Kent had started the day in positive mood after they, too, made early breakthroughs with the ball, Mitchell Claydon with two wickets as they reduced Gloucestershire to 23 for 3.But a fifth-wicket partnership of 75 between Hamish Marshall, who made 44, and Roderick, helped the hosts recover, taking the score from 64 to 139.Marshall was bowled by Riley and Roderick caught by Stevens off Doug Bollinger, but useful contributions from lower down the order took the score past the 250 mark. Gidman made 31 and No. 9 Tom Smith 30 before becoming Riley’s third wicket of the innings.

Kolkata Knight Riders took their winning streak to 14, the joint second-highest in Twenty20 history, and made it to their first Champions League T20 final

The Report by Sidharth Monga02-Oct-2014
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Kuldeep Yadav and other KKR spinners restricted Hurricanes to 140•BCCIKolkata Knight Riders took their winning streak to 14, the joint second-highest in Twenty20 history, and made it to their first Champions League T20 final after the spinners reduced Hobart Hurricanes to 140 for 6. Having lost captain Tim Paine to a stomach bug, Hurricanes had to contend with 16 overs of spin, including the opening spell of Yusuf Pathan. They couldn’t break free of their chokehold, reaching 140 thanks only to Shoaib Malik’s late surge. Knight Riders, however, made a bit of heavy weather of the chase, with Jacques Kallis and Yusuf getting stuck in the end, bringing the equation up to 21 off 13 before finishing it off with five balls to spare.Knight Riders stuck to their winning formula after the stand-in Hurricanes captain Xavier Doherty chose to bat on what looked like a flat hard pitch. By the time Yusuf sent down the first over, it was obvious it was a pitch slower than expected. Andre Russell provided the first breakthrough by latching on to a tough leading edge off his own bowling, with Dom Michael being undone by the slowness of the surface. In the next over, Hurricanes’ batsman of the tournament, Aiden Blizzard got a rough decision, given lbw off a thick inside edge.From then on it was going to be a catch-up game for Hurricanes. Knight Riders made sure they didn’t take too many liberties by bringing on their two attacking spinners, Sunil Narine and Kuldeep Yadav, one after the other. As a result, Hurricanes had to be watchful, crawling to 54 for 3 in 10 overs, their lowest 10-over score of the tournament. Ben Dunk did majority of the scoring in the first half, but Kuldeep accounted for him.It was down to Malik, their best player of the spin, to provide them some sort of fighting total. Malik obliged, taking 21 runs off the 19th over, bowled by Kuldeep, but the support from the other side was hard to come by. Take out 105 from 75 balls scored between Malik and Dunk, you have precious nothing from the rest of the team.However, the rest of the team was spirited in defence of the small target. The fast bowlers, Ben Hilfenhaus and Doug Bollinger, got stuck into Gautam Gambhir and had him early. An adventurous shot off Doherty accounted for Robin Uthappa, and Knight Riders were 44 for 2 off 44 legal deliveries. Kallis then provided the solidness, and Manish Pandey gave them the impetus by peppering his favourite wide long-on area. Hurricanes didn’t help their own case with three missed run-outs, and Pandey’s wicket off a no-ball.The free hit went for four, followed by another, bringing the equation down to 49 off 42. When Pandey holed out to long-on in the 16th over, he left Knight Riders just 34 off 28. The next 15 balls were mostly yorkers, conceded just 13, drew some frustrated shots from Yusuf and Kallis, and the game was in the balance with 21 required off 13. Ben Laughlin then failed to execute his yorker with the last ball of the 18th over, and Yusuf crashed it through extra cover.Doherty was now left with a big decision. He and Bollinger had an over each left, and he went against the conventional wisdom to bowl the 19th himself. Kallis stepped out first ball, and crashed him for a six first up. That was game done for all practical purposes, but Hilfenhaus provided the finishing touch by parrying off the first ball of the 20th over for a six after having misjudged a catch.

Goal looks at the players who have created the most chances in the top five European leagues this season

20Lucas Perez | 77 chances created

Lucas Perez is still technically an Arsenal player, but has enjoyed an impressive season out on loan at Deportivo La Coruna as he waits to learn more about his long-term future after Arsene Wenger's departure from the Emirates Stadium.

AdvertisementGetty Images19Alexis Sanchez | 77 chances created

Sanchez has had his critics this season due to his reduced goal contribution at both Arsenal and Manchester United, but he has created 77 chances this season,

The Chilean also missed nine games in the Premier League, leaving him with one of the best chances created per minute ratios in the entirety of Europe.

Getty Images18Xherdan Shaqiri | 77 chances created

To make this list at a relegated club is some achievement. Shaqiri created 77 chances for Stoke but they couldn’t avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Shaqiri is unlikely to be short of suitors this summer amid expectations he will be sold following Stoke's drop into the Championship.

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Getty17 Aleksandar Kolarov | 78 chances created

The Serbian has been back to his best this season at Roma, assisting eight goals from left-back and creating 78 chances.

A win against Bangladesh on Sunday will boost Pakistan’s chances of qualifying for the semi-finals, leaving them needing to win their last game against West Indies

The Preview by Umar Farooq29-Mar-20140:56

Crowe: Should be easy for Pakistan

Match factsSunday, March 30, 2014
Start time 1530 local (0930 GMT)Big PicturePakistan have already shown their unpredictability in the tournament. They were limp during the defeat to India in the opening match and fought back against Australia to keep their chances alive in the World T20. They are the only team to have reached the semi-finals of every World T20 so far, and need to win their last two matches to keep that record intact.Bangladesh, on the other hand, are having a horror season, and now have three successive defeats in the tournament. Their defeat to West Indies on Tuesday was their second-worst by margin of runs in the format and was followed by a big loss to India. Their captain Mushfiqur Rahim has urged players to come out with their natural game rather than playing for their places. The semi-finals look out of their reach, especially given their record of never having beaten a top-eight team in a Twenty20 other than West Indies. Despite the poor record, Bangladesh’s fans continue to be passionate supporters, and Mushfiqur’s side will hope to give them something to brighten up their Sunday.If Pakistan beat Bangladesh, they won’t need to worry about net run-rates (unless there is a washout). They will have two wins, on par with West Indies, who they face in their final league game – the winner of that match will join India as semi-finalists from Group 2.Form guide(last five matches, most recent first)
Bangladesh: LLLWW
Pakistan: WLWWWIn the spotlightShakib Al Hasan, once again, is the man Bangladesh will expect to create a difference with both ball and bat. He’s had two successive low scores with the bat, and will want to correct that, particularly against a tricky Pakistan attack.Ahmed Shehzad has had a quiet tournament so far. His dismissals against India and Australia weren’t a true reflection of the young aggressive batsman known for his powerful hitting. He has thrived in these conditions in the past, as recently as Asia Cup which ended earlier this month, and was the top run-getter in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2012 with 486 runs. He needs to find that form again, or Pakistan will be tempted to turn to their back-up opener, the left-hander Sharjeel Khan.Bangladesh’s fans have provided vocal support through the tournament•ICCTeam newsBangladesh’s combination is in disarray as they have been experimenting since the Hong Kong debacle. They have tried all their resources in the tournament and there’s a strong chance there will be more reshuffling in the batting line-up. Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim are likely to bat at 3 and 4 respectively, which could open up a spot for Sabbir Rahman once more. Sohag Gazi could also make way for Abdur Razzak.Bangladesh (probable) 1 Tamim Iqbal, 2 Anamul Haque, 3 Shakib Al Hasan, 4 Mushfiqur Rahim (capt & wk), 5 Sabbir Rahman, 6 Nasir Hossain, 7 Mahmudullah, 8 Ziaur Rahman, 9 Sohag Gazi/Abdur Razzak, 10 Mashrafe Mortaza, 11 Al-Amin HossainPakistan could stick to the XI that won them the game against Australia, though they might be tempted to pick Sohail Tanvir in place of Bilawal Bhatti, who was taken for 36 runs in his two overs against Australia.Pakistan (probable): 1 Kamran Akmal (wk), 2 Ahmed Shehzad, 3 Mohammad Hafeez (capt), 4 Umar Akmal, 5 Shoaib Malik, 6 Shahid Afridi, 7 Sohaib Maqsood, 8 Bilawal Bhatti/Sohail Tanvir, 9 Umar Gul, 10 Saeed Ajmal, 11 Zulfiqar BabarStats & trivia Bangladesh have played against Pakistan more often than against any other side, but have lost each of their six T20I matches, quite convincingly. The closest margin of defeat was 21 runs (when chasing) and four wicketswith six balls to spare, when batting first. Shahid Afridi has a batting strike rate of 175 in T20Is versus Bangladesh – he has struck six sixes and six fours off 56 balls against them. With the ball, he has taken six wickets against them at an economy rate of 5.91.Quotes”We are at a crucial junction, as we need to win both matches and we will do our best.”
Mohammad Hafeez

Daniel Christian, the Australia allrounder, will play for Middlesex as one of their overseas players during the NatWest Blast

ESPNcricinfo staff24-Apr-2014Daniel Christian, the Australia allrounder, will play for Middlesex as one of their overseas players during the NatWest Blast. Christian, who helped Hampshire to win the Friends Provident t20 in 2010, is expected to be available throughout the season, with most of the matches in England’s new domestic T20 competition being played on Friday nights.Capped 34 times by Australia, Christan was recently in action at the World T20. The 30-year-old has played 125 T20 matches in his career to date and was a member of the Brisbane Heat side that won the Big Bash League in 2012-13. He has also played in the IPL and for Gloucestershire in county cricket.”When we sat down to identify the type of cricketer Middlesex CCC required for this summer’s NatWest T20 Blast a seam bowling allrounder was top of our list,” Angus Fraser, Middlesex’s director of cricket, said. “We are therefore delighted to have attained the services of such an experienced, talented and dangerous cricketer.”Unlike many of this summer’s T20 signings Dan is available for selection for all of our NatWest T20 Blast Group matches, which was important to us. We believe Dan will offer the team experience and match winning performances; assets that any team would want to have. His recent appearances for Australia highlight how highly regarded he is Down Under too.”Christian, who has scored 1644 runs and taken 106 wickets in T20, will arrive in May ahead of the start of the T20 Blast. Middlesex begin their campaign with back-to-back matches against Essex and Sussex at Lord’s on May 17, with newly appointed limited-overs captain Eoin Morgan set to take charge.”I am delighted to have signed with Middlesex for the 2014 Natwest T20 Blast,” Christian said. “The opportunity to play at the Home of Cricket is a dream come true and I can’t wait to pull on a Middlesex shirt for the first time. Kicking off the tournament with a double-header at Lords against Sussex and Essex in front of what I am sure will be a full house promises to be one of the highlights of my career. I look forward to helping Eoin and the boys challenge for silverware this year.”

Allan Donald, South Africa’s bowling coach, has warned Australia to expect a fully-firing Dale Steyn from the first morning of the first Test of the upcoming series

Firdose Moonda in Johannesburg05-Feb-2014Allan Donald, South Africa’s bowling coach, has warned Australia to expect a fully-firing Dale Steyn from the first morning of the first Test of the upcoming series. Although Steyn has not bowled for five weeks, in which he was given extended rest to recover from a rib injury, Donald insisted Steyn would not require any additional time to get back into the swing things.”We cant afford for him to ease into it. Graeme wants him to be full tilt right from the start,” Donald said, after the second day’s play in the tour match. Steyn bowled 8.5 overs to follow up from the three he delivered on Tuesday and came off a slightly longer run-up than the one he used on day one. Quinton de Kock, who faced Steyn early on, said initially “there was no pace there, he was just working on his areas” but Donald noted Steyn got quicker as the day went on.Steyn got rid of the Composite XI’s tail to finish with three wickets and show heartening signs that his self-belief is ballooning. “The biggest thing when you are coming back from a rib injury is confidence,” Donald said. “You do feel hesitant at first. You need to get back that confidence in getting through your action. But for a guy who hasn’t bowled a ball in a month, Dale is looking good.”Although Donald called Steyn a “freakish sort of guy” who can “slot straight back in” after a layoff, he also said Steyn, like any other bowler, needs to work his way back by slowly increasing his load. “Every day he needs to build,” he said.The comeback should be declared complete on Thursday. Donald said Steyn will have one more spell and promised it will be a nasty one. “He will be bowling quicker, running in harder off a nice long run up with full momentum,” he said. “That will give him that confidence and form that you take into a massive series.”South Africa need Steyn at his best because he will be the spearhead in what has been dubbed a battle of the bowlers, which Donald expects to be as explosive as it sounds. “Michael Clarke has every right to say he rates his attack No.1 because what a hell of a performance over five Tests,” he said, referring to Australia’s Ashes triumph.”They’re a good attack, they showed that against England. They have got variation in their attack and so have we. That’s where it will be fantastic viewing from the side to see how these guys match up against each other.”Steyn’s direct competitor, especially where pace and the label leader of the attack lies, is Mitchell Johnson, who will enjoy the knowledge that four of South Africa’s Test batsmen, including Alviro Petersen and Graeme Smith twice, were dismissed by left-armers in the ongoing warm-up match. Donald called Johnson’s recent form the “best I have seen him bowl in a very long time”.Donald was particularly impressed with the combination Johnson’s speed and control. “He never gave England a sniff, he was so tight with the channels he bowled and his pace through the air,” Donald said. “He softened them up with very good short balls and his follow-up balls were the ones that were very quick through the air. His overall control was the best I’ve seen for a while.”That type of discipline is something Donald was hoping from Wayne Parnell and he believes there was a glimpse of it in South Africa’s second innings. “He showed a lot of intent. There was presence in his run up, which is important,” Donald said. “I thought that stood out today, he had good pace and good control.” Parnell appears the frontrunner to slot into South Africa’s Test XI, which would add another speedster into what is already a cauldron of quicks.With so much fire and brimstone in the lead-up to the series, it is easy to get carried away but Donald said South Africa are aiming for the same kind of calm they achieved when they prepared to take the Test mace off England in 2012. “There is no point jumping in with both feet down people’s throats,” he said, the mixed metaphor only emphasising the point. “This team doesn’t stand for that. We built up very calmly towards England. And it feels exactly the same. It feel eerily the same.”Then, South Africa took a trip to Switzerland in the lead-up to the tour where they spent time with explorer Mike Horn. This time, they will spend two days in Hoedspruit, a town close to the Kruger National Park, where they will assist Mark Boucher in his mission to save the rhino. The getaway is aimed to give them perspective and when they return to fine-tune for the Test, Donald expects them, and the attack specifically, to be more than ready.”This South African attack – from where we started our journey against England almost two years ago, to where we are now – we’ve got what it takes to deliver. We know what we stand for, we know what to expect from each other and whenever there has been big questions asked of us in the past, someone, or the whole attack, has stepped up.” Donald believes it will be more of the same again.

Afghanistan have called up an uncapped Najeeb Tarakai in place of Afsar Zazai to boost their batting for the World Twenty20

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Feb-2014Afghanistan have called up an uncapped Najeeb Tarakai in place of Afsar Zazai to boost their batting for the World Twenty20. The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Shahzad will continue to open the innings for Afghanistan and Tarakai will be expected to add more power to the top order.Afghanistan also announced the squad for their maiden Asia Cup appearance. Noor Ali Zadran, who had been withdrawn from the World Twenty20 qualifier due to an injury and was left out of the World T20 squad, has been included for the Asia Cup. Allrounder Fazal Niazai has been rewarded with a call-up to the ODI team after recent consistent performances for the Afghanistan A team.Heading into their third World T20, Afghanistan, who had finished second in the tournament qualifier last year, are slotted in Group A and will compete with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Nepal for a spot in the final-ten stage. The team has been in Sri Lanka for the last month for a conditioning camp and will fly to Bangladesh for the Asia Cup, which is scheduled to begin on February 25. Afghanistan will start their World T20 campaign with a match against Bangladesh on March 16, the first game of the tournament.Afghanistan squad for Asia Cup: Mohammad Shahzad, Noor Ali Zadran, Karim Sadiq, Nowroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Rahmat Shah, Mirwais Ashraf, Fazal Niazai, Hamza Hotak, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Najeeb ZadranAfghanistan squad for World T20: Mohammad Shahzad, Najeeb Tarakai, Karim Sadiq, Nowroz Mangal, Asghar Stanikzai, Mohammad Nabi, Samiullah Shenwari, Shafiqullah Shafaq, Mirwais Ashraf, Gulbadin Naib, Hamza Hotak, Hamid Hassan, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran, Najeeb Zadran

Even a proven match-winner such as Yuvraj Singh feels the stress of making a comeback, according to MS Dhoni, but the India captain has added the team will try to take “undue pressure” off the allrounder

ESPNcricinfo staff09-Oct-2013Even a proven match-winner such as Yuvraj Singh feels the stress of making a comeback, according to MS Dhoni, but the India captain has added the team will try to take “undue pressure” off the allrounder. Yuvraj, whose last game for India was against England in January 2013, forced his way back into the side for the home limited-overs series against Australia following a string of big scores in List A cricket.”We will try to keep it as normal as possible because once you are back in the side and it becomes like a comeback scenario, the kind of pressure on the player [is immense],” Dhoni said on the eve of the solitary Twenty20 international in Rajkot. “It doesn’t matter if you are one of the biggest match-winners or you are just making your debut, or are coming back. It is important to take the feeling away from the individual that he is coming back because what is important is for the individual to be expressive on the field, back himself, have belief in his talent, and ultimately that will show on the field. We will try to keep it as normal as possible and take undue pressure off him. Hopefully it will work.”Dhoni, who in the past has said India missed Yuvraj’s ability as an effective limited-overs left-arm spinner, said the latter’s return gave the side more bowling options. “Yuvraj is a match-winner and we all know that. He has always proved himself whenever questions have risen and also he is a big-match player. In tough series he does well so we are hoping that he will come back strong.”He is looking good. In the net sessions that we had today he is batting well. It will be good to have him in the side also as a bowling option. Having one more bowler obviously helps. Apart from having five proper bowlers, having a few part-timers who can bowl, especially at this time of the year when dew might be there. We have more bowlers to play with so it is good for the team and also for Yuvraj.”On the other left-arm spinner in the side, Dhoni said while Ravindra Jadeja had performed creditably in ODIs, in the shortest format he tended to get a touch hassled. “It is not like he has done badly. Whatever bowling he has done in international games, especially in the ODI format, he has done well. T20 is one format in which he feels a bit of pressure, but we have to maneuver around it. Many times we have used him in the last few overs which puts a bit of pressure on spinners. We will try to use him in the best possible manner where a bit of pressure is taken off him and the other bowlers, who are in good form, handle the pressure that is there in the slog overs. We will share the responsibility and that will make it easier for him to do well consistently.”Rajkot has been getting unseasonal showers and more rain is forecast on match-day, but Dhoni said India had managed to get in some decent practice. “Considering the amount of rainfall that had happened, the groundsmen have done very good work. We have practiced as much as we could have today. Some water had seeped in under the covers but we have tried to manage it well and done what we could. We have got the most out of the practice session.”While keeping an eye on the weather, Dhoni said the prospect of dew would also have to be considered. “If dew becomes a factor then spinners may not get the same amount of turn that they would have got some other time of the year, so we will have to wait and watch. Dew may be a key factor because at this time of the year we have seen that at most of the venues we will have to fight dew.”0:00

‘It will be an exciting series’ – Dhoni

It would have been understandable for the vice-captain to get tetchy when overlooked for the leadership with the skipper out injured. Not Brad Haddin, team man

Brydon Coverdale23-Dec-2014″Don’t they want to ask about my keeping?” Brad Haddin joked after his press conference at the MCG on Tuesday. Struggling with the bat, overtaken by Steven Smith for the Test captaincy – it’s no wonder his glovework would have been Haddin’s choice of conversation topic. After all, nine dismissals in the win at the Gabba was equal second to Adam Gilchrist’s 10 in Hamilton in 2000 on Australia’s all-time list.Of course, Haddin was speaking mostly in jest. Sure, he would like more runs – he said so half a dozen times – but he is comfortable with his position, happy to help Smith develop his captaincy on the job. It would have been understandable for the vice-captain to get tetchy when overlooked for the leadership with the skipper out injured. Not Brad Haddin, team man.”I think they have made a very brave and very good decision in giving Steve the captaincy,” Haddin said. “I think it is the perfect time for him, he is on top of his game at the moment which is one thing you don’t have to worry about being captain. He is a good leader, he is only young and he is going to get better and better in the role.”It was an outstanding decision by Cricket Australia. He has got a good core group of senior guys to help him out if he needs it, but things are going well. He’s got his own thoughts on the game, he is a good thinker about it, he still wants to learn. A very good decision.”Asked if he had expected or wanted to be given the job with Michael Clarke out with a hamstring injury, Haddin said he was happy simply to have led the side in the final stages of the first Test. “I would much rather you remember the last two hours I did in Adelaide rather than do it all the time,” he said.Brad Haddin: “I don’t feel in bad touch, I just need to get some runs”•Getty ImagesFor the time being, Haddin might also prefer that Australian fans remember his batting for past achievements than current ones. In last year’s Ashes at home he rescued Australia from first-innings holes in all five Tests, but since then he has managed Test scores of 0, 9, 1, 13, 3*, 22, 0, 10, 13, 0, 14*, 6 and 1.”I think my preparation has been spot on. Leading into this summer I felt better than I did last summer,” he said. “It’s just about getting that luck at the start of your innings. If you get through that first bit you start to get into the rhythm of the game, then you work from there. I don’t feel in bad touch, I just need to get some runs. That’s as simple as it is.”I’m not concerned about it. All my preparation and that has been spot on, I have just been out of runs,” he said. “I am not stressed or too worried about it. The game will turn and it will go my way … I don’t feel it [pressure]. This game turns. I’d obviously like some more runs. I’ve been in this situation before.”While Australia would like more from Haddin at No.7, they also need to work out what to do with the rest of the batting order after Joe Burns was included in the side. Burns has been opening for Queensland since near the start of last summer and Shane Watson also prefers to bat at the top, but one will likely have to slide down to No.6 with Steven Smith and Shaun Marsh seemingly settled at Nos. 4 and 5.”I think if you can bat in the top order in state cricket it holds you in good stead to bat anywhere for Australia,” Haddin said. “That’s where you’re under pressure the most, you’ve got the new ball, you can get trying conditions there [in the Shield].”I haven’t seen too much of Burns play. He seems pretty relaxed and understands his game. He’s asked a lot of questions about cricket. He didn’t know where to sit in the change room. I think he’s suited to anywhere in the order because if you bat in that top three, second new ball at No.6, I think he’ll handle it quite well.”

Tim Bresnan could not be making better use of his first competitive outing since breaking down with a stress fracture to proclaim that he has no wish to sit out the entire Ashes series.

David Hopps28-Nov-2013
ScorecardTim Bresnan took 4 for 31 for the England Performance Programme•Action PhotographicsTim Bresnan could not be making better use of his first competitive outing since breaking down with a stress fracture to proclaim that he has no wish to sit out the entire Ashes series.Nobody really expects Bresnan to be a serious contender for a place in the second Ashes Test, but with every day that passes, he is at least making them revisit the assumption.He will join the Test squad following this England Performance Programme fixture, where Bresnan followed up a half-century (57 from 62 balls) on the opening day with 4 for 31 in 10 overs on the second day against a Queensland 2nd XI. There are a few England players who would have given a lot for such figures with bat or ball at the Gabba, where they suffered a drubbing against Australia in the first Test.But England rarely shift from their preconceived plans and it is highly doubtful that they have ever contemplated playing Bresnan in Adelaide. On the roads around Australia, one often sees signs asking tired drivers undergoing long journeys: “Do you have a Plan B?” England’s tendency will be only to consider Plan B when the wheels are falling off and smoke is pouring out of the engine.It is difficult to gauge the worth of Bresnan’s display against a Queensland 2nd XI – “solid” was one word routinely bandied around by Australian observers who felt he was still some way down on pace – and England’s team director, Andy Flower, and coach David Saker are both in Alice Springs. He struck in the first over, having Dom Michael caught behind, and two other wickets came in the close-catching cordon.Joe Burns, the one Queensland player of note in the side, also escaped Bresnan’s clutches, falling just short of an unbeaten hundred as his side were dismissed for 156 at Allan Border Field. EPP squad then reached the close on 156 for 5 to secure a lead of 376 with a day remaining.”He looked pretty good,” Burns told Brisbane’s . “He was swinging it a bit and bowling within himself a little bit but you could see he still had that effort ball. It certainly felt as if he was still building but he was not too far away.”It was another satisfying day for the Performance squad. They declared on their overnight 376 for 9, content that arguably the two most highly-regarded batsmen in the squad, Middlesex’s Sam Robson, who retired on 102 and Moeen Ali of Worcestershire, who made 83, had made a favourable impression.Bresnan had not played a competitive match since he broke down in the fourth Ashes Test at Chester-le-Street in August. His inclusion in Adelaide looks improbable, especially as the first drop-in Test pitch at the now multi-purpose stadium could well be a stamina-testing experience for both bowling attacks.But his 24 wickets in five Ashes Tests mean that Australia hold him in high regard, none more so than the coach Darren Lehmann, who played alongside the younger Bresnan at Yorkshire. His hopes will be growing that he can make a contribution later in the series, certainly in Melbourne over Christmas, where he bowled the defining spell three years ago during the Test in which England retained the Ashes.He has rarely attracted the plaudits during his 21-Test career, but after England’s heavy defeat at the Gabba, his batting average of 30 and bowling average of 32 are looking more than ever the sort of dependable all-round figures England could do with.Another all-round option that is a genuine possibility for the second Test is Ben Stokes. He made his international debut in the one-day series against Australia in England and will look to stake his claim for a Test debut in the No. 6 slot during England’s two-day match in Alice Springs, alongside batsmen Jonny Bairstow and Gary Ballance.”Everyone is going to go out there and make sure they put their hand up and prove a point that they want to be out here and be in that second Test match,” Stokes said. “There’s probably three guys who’ve got the chance to try and get into that number six. Whether it’s me or not, Gary or Jonny, but we’ve got this next two days to go out there and really try to get in there.”England are yet to name their final XI for the Alice Springs tour match but are expected to rest Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Stuart Broad and James Anderson as they try to gather the evidence they need about how best to rebalance their side now that Jonathan Trott has returned home with a stress-related illness and they have gone 1-0 down in the series.*November 28, 12.45 GMT: This article was updated to reflect the England team for Alice Springs