England hope to have a full-strength pace attack available for next month’s first Test against Pakistan after Tim Bresnan had successful surgery on an elbow problem.
The 26-year-old Yorkshire bowler struggled with the injury during the recent one-day series in India and rest and recuperation failed to cure the problem.
England, 9/2 with bookmaker to retain their ICC World Twenty20 title next year and 4/7 to win the Ashes for a third successive time in 2013, should have James Anderson leading their attack for the first Test against Pakistan, which starts in Dubai on Tuesday 17th January.
Stuart Broad should also have recovered from a shoulder injury in time to feature while Chris Tremlett is making good progress in his recovery from a long-term back injury.