Tim Bresnan is confident of being ready for England's opening World Cup match against Netherlands on February 22 as he continues his recovery from the calf injury that forced him home early from Australia.
There had been concerns that the problem could scupper Bresnan's hopes altogether but the allrounder is making positive progress.However, he won't be taking any risks that could hinder his participation later in the tournament and is unlikely to feature in the warm-up matches against Canada and Pakistan in Fatullah. Bresnan's last match was the second one-day international at Hobart when he injured his calf and flew back to the UK a couple of days later for treatment.
Andy Flower, the England team director, called Bresnan's injury the biggest concern towards the end of the tour, before Eoin Morgan suffered his broken finger, but those worries appear to have eased now that the squad has begun training in Dhaka.
"There were doubts whether it was a grade two, grade one [tear]. I think the fact that it bled so much probably led to the grey area," Bresnan told reporters in Dhaka. "But I think we are slightly ahead of schedule now."
"It's feeling pretty good. I hope I can get a warm-up game, but will definitely be targeting the start of the tournament," he added "I've not bowled 100% since I did it. But I'm definitely back bowling 80 to 85%, and then will probably go to 100 on Tuesday. I want to get in a few sessions at 100% before I take the field for a competitive game."
Bresnan is a key part of England's one-day team because he can find swing with the new ball then return later in the innings with reverse and is accurate at the death with his yorkers. His batting also provides important balance lower down the order with his ability to clear the boundaries.
Although England's injury situation is slowly improving ahead of the tournament the squad isn't without its issues leading into the warm-up games and the management have applied to the ICC for special dispensation to play Chris Tremlett, a travelling reserve, against Canada on Wednesday.
Tremlett flew out with the squad in case any of the injured players needing replacing but strictly isn't allowed to take part. However, with Graeme Swann still at home on paternity leave, Ajmal Shahzad nursing his hamstring, Stuart Broad suffering from illness and Bresnan being cautious the squad is currently stretched.
