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This article was first published 13 years ago

Bresnan aims for perfect 10 at series end

Last updated on: August 9, 2011 23:33 IST

Image: Tim Bresnan

England seamer Tim Bresnan feels lucky to be part of a winning side in all eight Tests he has played so far in his career and hopes to complete a record 10 out of 10 at the end of ongoing series against India.

- India's tour of England: Full coverage

Bresnan scored a crucial 90 in the second innings before claiming his first five-wicket haul in the second Test at Trent Bridge to help England go 2-0 up and the pacer said he is ecstatic.

"It's just one of those things. I've been very lucky in my Test career and I felt ecstatic after we won in Nottingham," Bresnan said.

"It would be nice to get to 10 Tests wins by the end of this series. If we go to Edgbaston and produce the same performance, it's going to be hard for India.

'We've just got to keep doing the basics well'

Image: Tim Bresnan

"But we know how strong they are and there is absolutely no reason for us to get complacent. We've just got to keep doing the basics well -- and producing to hold on to our places," he was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Bresnan's efforts still may not be rewarded and he might be replaced by fellow Chris Tremlett in the starting XI in the third Test on Wednesday and the 26-year-old hopes that he doesn't end up being disappointed.

"When the team finally gets announced it's going to be as interesting for me as everyone else. The selectors have got a nice headache -- at least it's nice for them," he said.

'We have such strength in depth'

Image: Tim Bresnan and James Anderson

"I'm glad it's not me making the decision although I also hope it's not me who is disappointed. It would be hard for me personally, but it's terrific for English cricket."

However, Bresnan knows very well that it is healthy competition as England is facing a problem of plenty at the moment which shows that they are close to be number one in ICC Test rankings.

"But we have such strength in depth. Look at Stevie Finn. He's got the highest strike rate of anyone playing at the minute and he's the youngest bowler to have reached 50 Test wickets. But he can't get into the team right now," Bresnan said.

'Knock at Trent Bridge was my best ever'

Image: Tim Bresnan

The Yorkshire cricketer missed out of his first Test hundred at Trent Bridge when he was dismissed by Praveen Kumar but Bresnan said he doesn't regret as it was a good delivery.

"I'm a proper all-rounder and I really can bat," Bresnan says.

"As long as you have the mindset of a batsman, why shouldn't you play proper cricket shots? I'd have liked a hundred but I'm not too disappointed with the way I got out. It was a decent delivery," he said.

"But you know what? I've probably got about 10 scores over 85 in first-class cricket without getting a hundred. At least I do have four centuries as a first-class player.

"I got 116 for the England Lions against pretty much the same Indian attack we've just faced. But it was a flat wicket at Chelmsford. Trent Bridge was much more challenging -- especially on the third evening, when I had to see off the new ball. That's why it's probably my best ever knock."

'You strive to be as good as you can be'

Image: Tim Bresnan

His batting skills have led his supporters to compare him with Andrew Flintoff.

"Yeah, definitely. Why wouldn't you set yourself high standards? There's no point attacking anything in life and thinking I'll be average at this. That's a poor way of thinking," he said.

"So you have to set yourself targets and strive to be as good as you can be. Freddie was definitely a game-changer and it would be very nice to be thought of in the same bracket as him."

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