Ashes winner Tim Bresnan will be available to Yorkshire for two County Championship matches ahead of England's Test series against Sri Lanka in May, writes Graham Hardcastle.

The all-rounder took the final wicket to help his country retain the little urn at the MCG in December, and will play for the White Rose against Hampshire at Headingley between May 11-14 and Lancashire at Liverpool between May 18-21.

Team-mate Ajmal Shahzad's availability to Yorkshire is dependent on his recovery from the hamstring injury which forced him to return early from the World Cup.

An ECB statement confirmed his participation in Yorkshire's early season encounters was "subject to completing his rehabilitation programme".

The Championship opener against Worcestershire on April 8 could come too soon, but he will almost certainly be back for the Roses clash on Merseyside.