Bresnan to link up with Lions squad

Tim Bresnan has remained in touch with the England set-up since his last appearance in March and will join up with the England Lions squad for the later stages of their one-day series against South Africa A.

Bresnan was something of a lucky charm for England during his early appearances for the Test side but an elbow injury appeared to reduce the potency of his bowling. But he has not disappeared from the international radar and was part of England's World T20 campaign.

He has been playing in the Big Bash for Hobart and will fly home before heading straight to South Africa to join the Lions squad ahead of the third rubber of their five-match series on January 31.

"The Lions one-day series in South Africa means we can have a group of players involved in high quality and competitive 50-over cricket in the weeks leading up to the World Cup," James Whitaker, the national selector, said

"Joining the squad will give Tim the opportunity to show that he is ready to be considered if a replacement is required."

Bresnan took 15 wickets at 24.73 last season in the Royal London Cup, conceding runs at 4.92 an over. He has taken 108 ODI wickets at 35.20 over 84 matches.

Five players have already joined up with the Lions for the one-day leg of their tour: Nottinghamshire seamer Harry Gurney - who was part of the England squad in Sri Lanka before Christmas - Stephen Parry, the Lancashire spinner, Notts' allrounder Samit Patel, Surrey's hard-htting Jason Roy and Ben Stokes, who has also just finished a stint in the Big Bash.