YORKSHIRE captain Andrew Gale has pointed to Ajmal Shahzad’s determination to put a long list of injuries behind him as one of the main reasons for the pace bowler’s England call-up.

The 24-year-old was awarded a place for next month’s tours of the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh after impressing during the ECB’s Performance Programme camp in South Africa.

He also enjoyed his best domestic season in 2009 with 40 wickets and 445 runs in the County Championship.

Shahzad played 13 four-day matches for Yorkshire last season, and there were no signs of the injuries that have plagued him since making his debut for the club in 2004.

“He’s got a lot of desire,” said Gale. “He had a great year last year, and he has worked really hard. I think he’s probably two or three yards quicker now than he was.

“He’s had injuries in the past, but he’s worked hard on the core of the body, doing quite a lot of strength and conditioning work.”

Shahzad is no stranger to the treatment table with back problems, strains, and a torn hamstring hampering his progress.

Shahzad said: “I’ve always been quite a big lad, and when I was in the gym I was getting quite bulky – it didn’t help my bowling.

“But, over the last few years I’ve worked quite hard on my fitness, doing a lot of strength and conditioning work with the fitness trainers at Yorkshire. It has really helped me to get to where I am now.”

Meanwhile, Yorkshire pair Anthony McGrath and Tim Bresnan failed to secure deals in yesterday’s Indian Premier League auction in Mumbai.

Middlesex batsman Eoin Morgan was the only one of eight England players to be snapped up, sealing a oneyear contract with the Royal Challengers Bangalore for £134,000 (US$220,000).

The likes of Graeme Swann, Jonathan Trott, Mark Ramprakash and Robert Key were all left unsold.

Adil Rashid was also on the reserve list in case anybody dropped out due to injury or international commitments.

It means that, aside from England commitments in the United Arab Emirates and Bangladesh for Bresnan and Rashid, the trio should be able to take a full part in Yorkshire’s pre-season.

Yorkshire’s overseas bowler Ryan Harris, who has a contract with the Deccan Chargers, will be the club’s only representative in the IPL.