TIM BRESNAN delivered a timely innings to help guide Yorkshire towards a competitive total against Warwickshire and remind England's selectors of his all-round abilities.

The 29-year-old has been restricted in the number of games he has played for Yorkshire in recent years because of England commitments and played only 11 championship matches since last scoring a half-century, an 87 against Hampshire at Headingley three years ago.

But, watched by National Selector James Whitaker, Bresnan responded to the challenge and hit a determined 61, sharing in a crucial 113-run seventh wicket partnership with Kane Williamson, to help Yorkshire reach 310 for eight at the close of the opening day against the championship leaders.

Fearing his Test place may be under threat for this summer's exchanges with Sri Lanka and India, Bresnan's innings – including nine fours – could not have been better timed against a quality attack including England seamer Chris Woakes, Keith Barker, Chris Wright and the off-spin of Jeetan Patel.

"I don't really listen to any England talk so I don't really know what's been said so all I can do is get a few runs and get a few wickets and throw my name in the hat," said Bresnan.

Arriving at the crease with Yorkshire struggling on 181 for six, having lost five wickets for 70 in the afternoon session, Bresnan drew on the calm composure of New Zealander Williamson to help launch the recovery.

Their stand was only broken after Warwickshire took the second new ball with Barker winning an lbw appeal against Williamson for 75, scored over four and a half fours at the crease, and seven balls later Bresnan was bowled attempting to drive Woakes.

The day had begun well for Yorkshire, with none of Warwickshire's attack able to bowl with any consistency, allowing Joe Root and Adam Lyth to forge a 91-run stand in only 22 overs.

Their stand was broken when Lyth mis-timed an attempted pull and allowed Woakes to claim a return catch shortly before lunch, which gave Warwickshire the momentum to launch their own fightback after the interval.

Root fell five overs into the afternoon session when he played on to Barker for 69 attempting a late cut, sparking a mini-collapse. Woakes bowled captain Andrew Gale with a full-length ball that kept low, the first evidence of the inconsistent bounce that was exploited from the Kirkstall Lane End, and may have contributed to Ballance being hit on the right elbow a few balls later, when he played no shot.

Ballance was treated for several minutes by physio Kunwar Bansil but fell in the next over when he was given lbw to Barker. He was given ice treatment and will be assessed overnight to make sure the damage was nothing more than bruising.

Wright claimed two further wickets with Jonny Bairstow bowled attempting to drive down the ground while Adil Rashid was caught by Will Porterfield at second slip.

But Williamson and Bresnan teamed up to guide Yorkshire towards their competitive target and frustrate Warwickshire's hopes of taking control.