Bresnan plays key part in England Ashes Test win

The Castleford all-rounder fully justified the selectors’ decision for him to replace Steven Finn as he contributed with bat and ball in a massive 347-run victory for England over the old enemy at Lord’s.

Bresnan took two big wickets in each of Australia’s two innings to take his tally to 61 in 19 Tests and also made a valuable knock of 38 in England’s second innings after being asked to go in as night watchman.

He will now be hoping to have done enough to retain his place for the third Test at Old Trafford, which starts on August 1.

Bresnan’s Yorkshire teammates Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow also shone in the second Test with the former scoring 180 in the second innings, combining in a 99-run stand for the fourth wicket with Bresnan, and the latter hitting a crucial 67 on the opening day to help England recover from 28-3 to their eventual total of 361.