LONDON: England’s pre-Ashes warm-up game against Essex was stripped of its first-class status after the county’s injury-hit attack had to be bolstered by England’s 12th man, Boyd Rankin.
After dismissing Essex for 278 in their first innings early on the third day of the four-day match, England’s second innings descended into near-farce.
Essex opening bowlers David Masters and Tymal Mills were injured and could not bowl. Eight bowlers were used in the innings including Rankin and Reece Topley, an Essex player not included in the county’s original team.
England captain Alastair Cook and Jonathan Trott had found scoring so easy that they retired as they approached their centuries to give team mates batting practice.
Aaron Beard, a 15-year-old member of Essex’s academy, benefited from the injuries by being called up to field.
The change in the match’s status following the inclusion of Rankin and Topley means bowler Tim Bresnan’s unbeaten first-innings century will not be part of his first-class record.
England play Australia in the first Ashes Test at Trent Bridge, starting on July 10.
Meanwhile, Graeme Swann has avoided a fracture to his bowling arm and is set to return to fielding duty later in England’s Ashes warm-up match against Essex, an England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) spokesman has said.
Swann was hit on his right forearm by Essex paceman Tymal Mills while batting on Monday morning in England’s first innings 413 for nine declared.
England’s leading spinner continued his innings but did not take the field when Essex batted and was instead sent to hospital for an X-ray.
However, the ECB subsequently said Swann had not suffered a major injury.
“(The) X-ray showed no fracture,” the spokesman explained.
“He is continuing to receive treatment for bruising and will return to the field later in the game.”
News that Swann has not suffered a severe setback will come as a huge relief to England chiefs after the 34-year-old missed the tour of New Zealand earlier this year to have surgery on his right elbow.
Not only has Swann established himself as England’s first choice spinner but, as an off-break bowler, is expected to play a key role in the defence of the Ashes against an Australia side set to feature several left-handers.
REUTERS
