Test veteran Dominic Cork has described Yorkshire star Ajmal Shahzad as “just what England need”.
The Hampshire all-rounder, 39, played 39 Tests, and is now in the perfect position to assess England’s current crop of bowlers as a county opponent.
He is facing Shahzad and Tim Bresnan in the ongoing LV= County Championship match at Headingley, in which a draw looks most likely ahead of today’s final day.
Only 39.5 overs were possible yesterday due to rain, and Yorkshire closed on 62-3 from 20.2 overs of their second innings, leading by 185.
Cork watched Shahzad complete only his second five-wicket haul in Championship cricket yesterday morning. And he said: “He is definitely someone who can perform at the highest level.
“You’ve seen here that he can still cause problems on a wicket that isn’t very quick. He swings it both ways, and he’s got everything going for him.”
Shahzad returned figures of 5-65 from 21.3 overs yesterday morning to help bowl the visitors out for 232 in reply to Yorkshire’s first innings 355.
He had Kabir Ali caught at third-man after Ryan Sidebottom had got Cork and Nic Pothas. Bresnan also removed Danny Briggs after the visitors started at 189-6.
Yorkshire, with a lead of 123, then reached 56-3 from 17 overs when the first lot of rain came at 2.20pm.
Shahzad will play for the Lions next week against Sri Lanka, but is behind Bresnan, Steve Finn and Chris Tremlett for the third seamer’s spot in the first Test at Cardiff later this month.
Cork added: “It’s good to see that England have a good stock of bowlers who are performing well. It will be a difficult decision the selectors have.”
Cork struck twice with the ball in Yorkshire’s second innings, getting Adam Lyth (4) and Joe Root (31) caught behind by Pothas. Joe Sayers (7) also fell the same way off the bowling of the David Griffiths.
When the players returned at 5.20pm, another 3.2 overs were bowled before more rain fell to signal an early close.
Andrew Gale and Jonny Bairstow will look for a 300 lead this morning before a declaration before or at lunch.
Yorkshire face Kent in a Clydesdale Bank 40 match at Headingley tomorrow.
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