Bresnan cheeky on lucky charm tag

London: Tim Bresnan might not consider himself cuddly enough for his new tag as England's proverbial "lucky charm" but, after victory in every single one of the eight Tests he has played, the big man can't resist a cheeky quip.

Hearing a suggestion that England could have picked him sooner and more often, Bresnan chuckles sagely and says: "We would have been No. 1 a long time by now if that had happened."

The dry Yorkshireman allows his joke to settle, just long enough to remember his feats with bat and ball in England's 319-run defeat of India in the second Test at Trent Bridge last week, before reverting to modesty.

"Nah, I can't really say that," he murmurs. "It's just one of those things. I've been very lucky in my Test career and I felt ecstatic after we won in Nottingham."

Bresnan, who has often been patronised as a steady bowler who can "bat a bit" and "never lets anyone down", deserves to revel in the glory. He scored an accomplished 90 in England's second innings and then secured his first five-wicket haul as India were rolled over for 158 with a day to spare.

His batting was less a tailender's cheery slog than a well-crafted and authoritative innings, while he displayed pace, bounce and swing as his bowling figures of five for 48 completed a near perfect day.

And yet, in circumstances which illustrate why England are on the brink of establishing themselves as the world's leading Test team,

Bresnan may still be left out of the starting XI at Edgbaston today. Just as he came so close to replacing Stuart Broad for the first Test at Lord's, exerting the kind of pressure which has resulted in his fellow all-rounder's blazing return to form, so Bresnan may be asked to step aside for Chris Tremlett.

Even if it is hard to believe that Bresnan could be dropped for the third Test, especially as Tremlett has been injured, the 26 year-old insists he has not been given any assurances. "There's not been a bit of that," he says.

"When the team finally gets announced it's going to be as interesting for me as everyone else. The selectors have got a nice headache at least it's nice for them. I'm glad it's not me making the decision although I also hope it's not me who is disappointed. It would be hard for me personally, but it's terrific for English cricket."

Surely the uncertainty has taken some pleasure away from his elation? "No, not at all. I've just been enjoying how well I played and I've also been trying to move house this last week. That's helped take my mind off this next Test, which is probably healthy. But we have such strength in depth. Look at Stevie Finn. He's got the highest strike rate of anyone playing at the minute and he's the youngest bowler to have reached 50 Test wickets. But he can't get into the team right now."

If Bresnan does play this week, and India are beaten again, England will be confirmed as world No. 1.