Bresnan ready for England return

Tim Bresnan led Yorkshire to an emphatic six-wicket victory over Worcestershire in the Royal London Cup and declared himself ready for an England return.

Bresnan said his zip had returned after taking 4 for 28 which dismantled Worcestershire for just 141, a target Yorkshire took only 30.2 overs to overhaul for a third win in four matches.

There was an early upset for Yorkshire as Alex Lees spooned a catch to Tom Fell in Mitchell McClenaghan's first over but Adam Lyth and New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson added 50 before Lyth edged Joe Leach to wicketkeeper Ben Cox for a patient 14.

McClenaghan, who had been punished with three fours in an over by Williamson, gained his revenge by having him lbw for 43 off 63 balls with seven boundaries.

Williamson survived a chance near the start of his innings when he was put down at second slip by Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who had to leave the field with a finger injury.

Eager to get on with it, skipper Andrew Gale's first six scoring shots were all boundaries and he found the rope again before McClenaghan bowled him for 29 to leave Yorkshire on 100 for 4.

Jack Leaning, with 20 not out, and Adil Rashid, an unbeaten 27, were in no mood to hang about either and the fifth-wicket pair needed only seven overs to knock off the remaining runs.

Worcestershire found batting a constant struggle after a 3 for 0 spell in two overs from Bresnan had helped reduce them to 54 for 5 and it was only a last-wicket stand of 39, the highest of the innings, between Leach and McClenaghan that gave the total an air of respectability.

Bresnan finished with 4 for 28 from 7.2 overs, legspinner Rashid claimed 3 for 21 and 16-year-old quick bowler Matthew Fisher impressed with a hostile spell in which he got rid of opener Daryl Mitchell, the only top-order batsman to show any sort of form.

The slide began when Jack Brooks trapped Richard Oliver lbw before Bresnan clean bowled Fell and with his next delivery had Alexei Kervezee caught at the second attempt by Lees at first slip.

The first ball of Bresnan's next over saw Kohler-Cadmore deny the England paceman his hat-trick but he then failed to withdraw his bat in time and was caught by Lyth low down at second slip.

Fisher, who last summer became the youngest cricketer at 15 years and seven months to play in a competitive county match when he made his Yorkshire debut at Scarborough, took over at the Kirkstall Lane End from Brooks and his seventh delivery accounted for Mitchell for 33 from 48 balls with four boundaries.

Rashid also had an early success upon replacing Bresnan as Cox was bowled round his legs and it became 78 for 7 when Ross Whiteley fell lbw to the slow bowler. Brooks returned to have Shaaiq Choudhry caught behind by Andy Hodd and the score had just crept into three figures by the time Rashid struck again, Jack Shantry being lured out of his crease and stumped.

Worcestershire's front-line batsmen were shown how it should be done by Leach and McClenaghan, the former playing some fine orthodox strokes, and Bresnan had to be recalled to end the resistance. His first ball was off-driven for four by McClenaghan but the next shattered his stumps for 16, leaving Leach unbeaten on 43 from 63 balls with five fours.

Reflecting on the comfortable victory for his side, Bresnan said: "It was definitely a pitch worth bowling first on - there was a bit in it with a 10.30 start and it did it all game, but we got the best out of it with our seam attack. I thought we all bowled pretty well with our seam attack with Jack Brooks and myself up top and Matthew Fisher backing us up really well followed by Adil Rashid and Richard Pyrah.

"I feel to have got my old zip back. You have spells when you feel in good rhythm and I suppose I am in the middle of one of those spells. I do like the white ball and one-day cricket and I don't mind bowling in the Powerplays, up front or at the death. I find it a nice exciting challenge and if you bowl pretty well there's an opportunity to pick up wickets."

Asked about his chances of an England return, Bresnan said: "I imagine the selectors are watching closely and it's up to them. I'm available for selection and whenever they want to come and knock on the door I'm ready."