Tim Bresnan branded ‘very average’ by Tykes president Boycott (From York Press)

Tim Bresnan branded ‘very average’ by Tykes president Boycott

11:23am Saturday 16th March 2013 in Sport

Geoffrey Boycott has labelled Yorkshire’s Tim Bresnan as “a very average bowler” in Test match terms, writes Graham Hardcastle.

The straight-talking Yorkshire president was giving his opinion on England’s back-up pace bowling options ahead of the forthcoming Ashes series at home and abroad in 2013/14 to the Cricinfo website, and it is a view that will surely not go down well inside the Headingley dressing room.

Boycott was asked to compare Australia’s options with England’s, and he said: “We do have the three that matter, with (James) Anderson, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad.

“We’re fine with those three. Our problem comes with our back-up, and we haven’t really got any.”

He went on to say: “Tim Bresnan has got an elbow injury – he has gone back to Yorkshire.

“I think he is a very average bowler. I don’t think he is going to frighten anybody. I know he’s from Yorkshire, but that doesn’t bother me.

“I give you a professional opinion. I think he bowls too wide on the crease. I think he is a fill-in bowler. He’s not really going to worry top batsmen.”

Bresnan, 28, has taken 57 wickets from 18 Test matches.