All-rounder Tim Bresnan confessed that Yorkshire have no qualms about being denied the chance to play Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root in their title showdown against Middlesex at Lords’.

The England pair were not given ECB clearance to play in the winner-takes-all clash at the home of cricket, which saw Middlesex claim a memorable 61-run victory on the final day with just 4.4 overs to spare.

The Yorkies were spotted around the ground numerous times throughout the clash that also saw spinner Adil Rashid pull out due to tiredness shortly before the game.

Bresnan admits ECB's presence mean lineup is 'out of our control' 

Bairstow’s wicket-keeping understudy Andrew Hodd hit a crucial 64 in the first innings to dig Yorkshire out a hole, but made just 17 in the second innings and was dismissed by match-winner Toby Roland-Jones on both occasions.

Hodd claimed just one victim behind the stumps in the match as Yorkshire’s top order struggled, the visitors top four making just 117 between them in eight innings combined at an average of just 14.6.

But Bresnan refused to criticise the ECB, when talking to VAVEL, saying: “You’ve got to play the hand that you’re dealt, it’s out of our control most of the time.

“Unfortunately for us it wasn’t our strongest side but we’ve come here and made most of the running in this game, we were unlucky to fall down at the final hurdle.”

All-rounder admits Middlesex were worthy winners despite his own sensational performance

Bresnan hit an unbeaten 142 in the first innings and 55 from just 48 balls in the second, as well as 3-48 in Middlesex’s first innings.

Bresnan and Azeem Rafiq kept Yorkshire in the game with their terrific first innings partnership (image source: Dan Mullan/Getty Images) 

However, Pontefract-born Bresnan couldn’t hide his disappointment in what was a disappointing end to Yorkshire’s season.

“It’s disappointing. That’s cricket, that’s sport.

“But Middlesex were worthy winners, I think we can hold our heads high, we played the game in the right way.”

Yorkshire saw all three competitions slip from their grasp late in the season after losing in the semi-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup as well as the Natwest T20 Blast, all before their dramatic collapse in front of the Sky cameras at Lords’ last Friday.

Bresnan added: “We’d like to be competing for all three trophies and we were up until two weeks ago, it’s unfortunate that we had all three in sight and now we’re left without any.”

The defeat meant that outgoing Yorkshire coach Jason Gillespie’s time at Headingley didn’t quite end the way the fairytale was meant to end, but former England international Bresnan was keen to reflect on his time at the club.

“We’re going to miss him.

“He’s been instrumental in the success over the last couple of years, but we’re looking forward to the challenge that a new coach is going to bring us.” Bresnan concluded.

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About the author
Harry Wright
Sport Journalism at the university of Bedfordshire. MK Dons supporter, referee, cricket player, Somerset and New England Patriots fan.