England v New Zealand, 2nd Test, Old Trafford

Tremlett named for second Test

Cricinfo staff

May 19, 2008

	Chris Tremlett has be in the wickets recently, enough to earn an England recall © Getty Images

Tremlett won his three Test caps last summer against India, where he made his mark with a couple of lively spells, and earns his latest chance after some impressive performances during the early stages of the summer. He bowled well against New Zealand for England Lions at The Rose Bowl and took 5 for 67 against Surrey in a recent County Championship match. However, during that game he suffered from back spasms and was unable to bowl in the second innings.

Tremlett was part of England's one-day squad for the New Zealand tour and was later added to the Test party before breaking down during the second warm-up match with a side strain and flying home.

"Chris performed well in last summer's Test series against India and was unfortunate to have to return home early from the tour of New Zealand through injury," national selector Geoff Miller said. "He is a player whose form we have been closely monitoring for some time and I am sure that he will be very pleased to be back in the squad and keen to stake his claim for a regular place in our bowling attack."

Tremlett will find it hard to force his way in for the second Test as the three fast bowlers at Lord's - Ryan Sidebottom, James Anderson and Stuart Broad - all had decent matches. However, Tremlett's extra bounce will be an enticing option for the selectors on what is expected to be a hard, quick pitch at Old Trafford.

"We've been consistent [with selection] in the past, and the young bowlers bowled well in this game. Some of the spells were outstanding and some not so great," Michael Vaughan said. "They are an inconsistent unit, and they are getting better all the time. Tremlett has been called into the 12 as a possible starter, but it's very difficult until we've seen the wicket to tell you what that final eleven will be. But I'd have thought that the guys that bowled reasonably well here will be given another opportunity."

Tremlett will link up with the England squad after playing for Hampshire in their Friends Provident Trophy match against Worcestershire, at The Rose Bowl, on Tuesday.

The other options available to the selectors as pace-bowling cover were Graham Onions, the Durham swing bowler, who has been in good form recently and there was also talk of a possible recall for Steve Harmison, the man who broke Hoggard's finger. But Harmison's figures this season have not made a compelling case for his return to the England squad. "Harmy just needs to bowl a bit more for Durham, and get big five-wicket hauls," Vaughan said.

England squad Michael Vaughan (capt), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Paul Collingwood, Tim Ambrose (wk), Stuart Broad, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett

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