Injured paceman Tim Bresnan ruled out of England’s test squad for series against New Zealand

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON — Fast bowler Tim Bresnan was ruled out of England’s upcoming test series in New Zealand because of a right elbow injury, with the uncapped Chris Woakes coming in as a replacement on Thursday.

It was the only change to the 15-man test squad from the recent series in India, where England won 2-1.

“Tim had got a little issue with his elbow, which he has had for a while,” national selector Geoff Miller said. “He felt that playing through it could alleviate that problem, but that hasn’t been the case.

“It’s not necessarily an operation at this stage and we feel he’ll be absolutely fine; our medical staff say he’ll be fine for the summer (when England plays Australia).”

Woakes was also one of three players, along with Joe Root and James Harris, brought into a revised one-day international squad. Wicketkeeper-batsman Craig Kieswetter was dropped.

England plays three Twenty20 matches and three ODIs against New Zealand before the first of three tests starts on March 6 in Dunedin.

England won the last test series in New Zealand 2-1, in 2008.

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England test squad: Alastair Cook (captain), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Ian Bell, Stuart Broad, Nick Compton, Steven Finn, Graham Onions, Monty Panesar, Kevin Pietersen, Matt Prior, Joe Root, Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Chris Woakes.

08:11ET 24-01-13